feel
feel
My heart is overflowing with a good theme… My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. [Psalm 45:1]
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. [2 Corinthians 10:5]
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. [Philippians 4:8]
What is the overwhelming theme of your heart today Beloved?
We’ve been on this journey now for 13 weeks — crazy! You might not know this about me, in all the time that we’ve shared but, I was born to my Mum when she was just 19 years old and not married. In this day and age it might not seem like much but in 1990’s Zimbabwe this was not only shocking but truly shameful. As a result from quite an early age, I have carried with me a deep desire to prove my existence, to be worth the hard work of all my mother’s life sacrifices. I can tell you from experience it is an insurmountable task that brings with it an even more impossible weight to carry. So much so that it was a crippling me from the inside out, day in and day out. I never wanted to be a burden, I wanted to be amazing and make all the difficult and horrible circumstances surrounding my entrance into this world null and void because look: Ennette had done wonderful, impressive things and was therefore worthy of being born. Reading this you must hear how ridiculous it sounds, but as I type it, I still feel that familiar twinge of pain and consequence. Am I worth all the sacrifices my mother made?
Maybe for you, your mental battle is with some other insecurity some other secret pain that only you and God know about. What saved me from myself (quite literally), was the unconditional love of God. I didn’t have to do anything or be anyone in order to be worthy. People need people, it’s ok to need and ask for help. This point particularly hit home when I needed to move from my uni halls of residence into the shared student home I had for the next academic year; but my mum wasn’t able to come and help me. As a single parent looking after my two younger siblings, it was an understandable but not easily fixable problem. I constantly needed to ask random friends and people who had cars to help me move from student house to student house during my time at university; it killed me— in the best way. There can be no ego in need and the humility of asking for help. People need people, it’s ok to need and ask for help.
However no matter how much I wanted to believe in the truly unconditional nature of God’s love, my thoughts did not obey and my heart did not believe. Surely I had to read my bible every day? Surely I had to be like Jesus without fault, because surely even God needed the sacrifice of His own Son to be worth it. My life as a christian had to be amazing and mean something. The constant barrage of thoughts and pressure was relentless, my mind always felt like a battlefield. Until one day a lady I was praying with said quite firmly and simply: Ennette your feelings are not final, the word of God is. Take His word seriously and take every thought captive. Test your thoughts against the bible, is it something Jesus would say to you? Is it something you would say to a good friend?
Beloved feel what you feel then let it go don’t let it consume you. From that moment on that’s exactly what I did. I tried to lead with my mind where my heart was unwilling to go. I’m often brought back to the thought that thinking and feeling are two sides of the same coin: so with that in mind, may your thoughts (guided by the Holy Spirit) lead your feelings and your feelings (led by the Holy Spirit) influence your thoughts, until you have lovely positive feedback loop. Rationale and emotion are not polar opposite entities, instead they can be coalescing components that can aid in our journey to even greater wellbeing. It takes months, maybe even years but as you step onto the mat and breathe, as you go about your day today, may you intentionally THINK good and FEEL good about your self and your life: you are LOVELY fearfully and wonderfully made.
“Find what feels good” we hear this a lot in our practise with Adrienne. Lord help us to seek out and find what feels, not just good, but very good. Take us back to creation and sabbath rest. Help our souls seek out and find that which is God breathed and inspired in our lives.... “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is TRUE, and honourable, and RIGHT, and PURE, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” [Philippians 4:8-9 NLT]
This last week, the affirmation I have been meditating on, was that “I am my own sunshine”. Grounded in the weight and truth of Gods word, I liked the encouragement and exhortation that this simple phrase could be: a gentle reminder to my soul that because of Christ’s death on the cross I have been given everything I could ever need. I do not need to rely on external factors for my feelings to be positive or joyful. My inner sense of joy and peace could be grounded in the truth that the joy of the Lord will be my strength, my inner compass and source of comfort. [Nehemiah 8:10] Where often my feelings want to fly untethered at the mercy of whatever winds of change and circumstance are going on around me, the word of the Lord comes and empowers me to stand firm and unshakeable in unchanging truths. I am beloved of God, He is for me, He works all things together for good. Beloved you have everything you need within because of Him who is in you.
Life is a constant flow including our emotions, this too shall pass. don't stagnate. An integral part of Taoism is the concept of the Tao. Omnipresent and ineffable, its considered to be the source of everything that exists and the Taoists believe that the main goal is to harmonise with it. Its consistency is akin to water, for water streams on its own accord, without any end results in mind and has the capacity to sustain life.* (see John chapter 4:10 in the bible. As an aside is anyone else blown away by these random things— just me?). Lao Tzu said: Water is fluid, soft and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and hard.
Even if it may seem like your feelings are rock-hard and unchanging, your feelings are not fixed Beloved. Can I lovingly encourage you to make your mind and heart a safe and holy meeting place where you can encounter the refreshing presence of the Lord; and not a battleground for the devil to have a foothold in and try ensnare you by your thoughts and feelings. Begin to cultivate an uncompromising, (if not ruthless), habit of taking every thought captive (test it against the word of God. Is it true or is it transitory?) and watch what happens to your feelings over time as you do.
I really like the words of 2 Corinthians 10:5 in The Message translation of the bible, as you read the words again may you feel truly empowered “use our powerful God-tools [meditation, prayer, yoga, our sense of agency in choosing what thoughts to focus on]; for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought, emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.”
Lord may the wind of your words breeze through our beings and cause our spirits to stir and feel alive in your presence once again. Fill us Lord, as we sit here and breathe here in these moments. I will end this very long devotional with the iconic words of Florence*: I am done with my grace-less heart, so tonight i’m going to cut it out and then restart because its hard to dance with the devil on your back so shake him off!”
Shake him off Beloved, swap it out for a grace-full heart and dance like no one is watching.
breath in
Gods holy presence : feel His words wash over your spirit and speak only that which is true and good over you- where once you were without worth God came and called you admirable and lovely think on such things and let it move through you from thinking to feeling beloved he calm stillness and sweet serenity of God’s comforting presence.
breath out
words that are full of praise change the space around you speak into existence goodness and belovedness to yourself and to those you may encounter today. Begin to change the narrative in your mind about your self today.
Enjoy your practice! (it’s 26mins long)
ImagoDei Wellbeing & Yoga
(Christ-)Mindful Tip:
Why not listen to this song during your Savasana today?
Remember you can always find and play the IMAGO DEI Wellbeing & Yoga playlist on Spotify during your yoga practice as well.
Mountain pose.
[tadasana]
“I lift my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord God, the maker of the heavens and the earth; indeed He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” [Psalm 121:1]
“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows weary; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower…” [Psalm 61:1]
When ever you are in this posture, feet planted hip width apart. feel yourself rooted and grounded in that moment, standing on the shakeable rock that is higher than you are. Even as your feelings come and go, changing like the unsteady shifting ocean surface the rock bed on which the ocean sits is unchanging and steady. You stand today on the stability of the earth the firmness of the Rock of Ages, Christ Jesus. You are not alone, you are not without help. I often use this grounding pose to catch my breath, breathe in deeply and steady my breath and myself. Maybe next time you’re in this pose you can bring to mind all those worries you may be carrying around, like a heavy sack of rocks, taking up mental space and emotional energy; and instead lay it all down at the feet of Jesus — especially if you then come into a forward fold [utanasana] as you breathe out.
Urdhva Hastasana
Urdhva Hastasana literally translates to "Raised Hands Pose” or maybe as this is a (Christ)-mindful tip we can call it “raise your hands in hallelujah pose” why not check out this song 'Dawn - by Rebecca St. James'.
As you lift your gaze upwards and your hands into the air (especially when in mountain pose) speak to your heart that come what may, you are forever and always held in and by Gods love. As you move and flow on the mat in your Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar A or B), raise your arms in hallelujah. Sing to your soul this mindful mantra as you transition from forward fold and back again into mountain pose lifting your gaze and arms in the yoga sequences: “Held by your love I sing Hallelujah, God you are lifting my heart as I lift my hands. Safe in your love, I sing Hallelujah. You’re healing my heart as I lift my hands. ”
*References (in order of appearance):
“The value of Taoism: the ancient philosophy with the power to unlock modern life and a stronger sense of self-care” Ryan Keane [magazine article]
Florence Welch (from Florence and the machine) “Shake it off” [song lyrics]
youtube
Life is a constant flow including our emotions, this too shall pass. don't stagnate. An integral part of Taoism is the concept of the Tao. Omnipresent and ineffable, its considered to be the source of everything that exists and the Taoists believe that the main goal is to harmonise with it. Its consistency is akin to water, for water streams on its own accord, without any end results in mind and has the capacity to sustain life.* (see John chapter 4:10 in the bible. As an aside is anyone else blown away by these random things— just me?). Lao Tzu said: Water is fluid, soft and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and hard.
Even if it may seem like your feelings are rock-hard and unchanging, your feelings are not fixed Beloved. Can I lovingly encourage you to make your mind and heart a safe and holy meeting place where you can encounter the refreshing presence of the Lord; and not a battleground for the devil to have a foothold in and try ensnare you by your thoughts and feelings. Begin to cultivate an uncompromising habit of taking every thought captive (test it against the word of God. Is it true or is it transitory?) and watch what happens to your feelings over time as you do.
Lord may the wind of your words breeze through our beings and cause our spirits to stir and feel alive in your presence once again. Fill us Lord, as we sit here and breathe here in these moments.
Even if it may seem like your feelings are rock-hard and unchanging, your feelings are not fixed Beloved. Can I lovingly encourage you to make your mind and heart a safe and holy meeting place where you can encounter the refreshing presence of the Lord; and not a battleground for the devil to have a foothold in and try ensnare you by your thoughts and feelings. Begin to cultivate an uncompromising habit of taking every thought captive (test it against the word of God. Is it true or is it transitory?) and watch what happens to your feelings over time as you do.
BREATHE IN: Gods holy presence : feel His words wash over your spirit and speak only that which is true and good over you- where once you were without worth God came and called you admirable and lovely think on such things and let it move through you from thinking to feeling beloved he calm stillness and sweet serenity of God’s comforting presence.
BREATHE OUT: words that are full of praise change the space around you speak into existence goodness and belovedness to yourself and to those you may encounter today. Begin to change the narrative in your mind about your self today.
*DISCLAIMER*
This sequence was created by yours truly for ImagoDei Wellbeing & Yoga, however so much credit is due to Adrienne from Yoga with Adrienne if you’re comfortable engaging with non christian yoga material she provides an excellent youtube challenge and this 30 week programme we’re on together is loosely based around her 30 day Breathe Journey.
I do not intend to steal or take or take credit for this lovely human’s hard work and knowledge and talent. All credit due to the wonderful Adrienne Louise for providing the framework we are using today. (We love Benji as well).
Finally and most importantly you partake of this video and do this yoga flow at your own discretion please above all listen to your bodies and as Adrienne would say find what feels good and only do what’s best for body and your baby. Always, always ImagoDei Wellbeing & Yoga recommends that you consult your physician regarding the applicability of any of the postures and recommendations made in this video. Remember to follow all safety guidelines and instructions before beginning any exercise program. When participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself.