Self Care Through Prayer and Forgiveness

Book excerpt: Forgiveness is a channel God has made for the fl ow of fresh water. The scripture state: . . . out of your belly shall fl ow rivers of living waters (John 7:38 [KJV]). Rivers of life, rivers of fresh ideas and rivers of fresh creative energy spring from the belly to refresh the heart, mind, and soul, bringing greater reasons and passion to love and give again. This depth of self-care stimulates you to the core with a new surge of the Holy Spirit and creates a divine release of laughter, joy, and peace. This invigorating state of being is nurtured by the Holy Spirit. Prayer is one of the vehicles God uses to talk to you. Forgiveness is one of His commandments. We routinely use both of these disciplines to nurture and minister to others. It's vital to use them when caring for yourself, too. Those who do, experience spiritual depth and wholeness because they are renewed in their spirit every day and abide in a fresh place. The act of letting go is another action you can take toward self-care. It is essential to self-care to release, and to let go. You can't receive anything when you're fullfull of caring and attending to others, full of unsettled concerns, emotions, or thoughts. Your ability to let go allows you to move to a place of wholeness. It creates the space you need to receive more. It is impossible to pour more into a full cup. By letting go of past experiences you create room for something new to emerge. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them (Isa. 42:9 [KJV]).