R. Be with me, Lord, when I am in
trouble.
Because he clings to me, I will deliver
him;
I will set him on high because
he acknowledges my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress;
I will deliver him and glorify
him.
Psalm 91:
14-15
“Chill out” refers to the need to take a deep cleansing
breath to calm and settle oneself in times of stress and anxiety….Being aware
of God’s love and God’s presence in times of difficulty and consciously turning
to that presence in graciousness is indeed a significant way to “chill out.”
In the love of Jesus,
Father Lenny Zamborsky
July 16, 2006
For
Reflection:
What
prayer and/or what kinds of prayer help me when I am in distress?
What
else helps me in times of stress and anxiety?
Simple, uncomplicated or even just silence so as to absorb His strength/energy
ReplyDeleteSilence is a powerful force for me.
DeleteI always return to the "Jesus Prayer" mantra, "Jesus, mercy" while breathing in and out.
ReplyDeleteMantras are so helpful. I think it's the rhythm of using it. My mantra is often "Om Mani Padme Hum" - I guess I'm mixing methods here, but it still works, and is not so different from the Jesus Prayer. This mantra invokes purity, compassion, altruism, and wisdom - pretty much everything Jesus-like.
DeleteThia was definitely a day I needed the Jesus prayer, deep breathing, chilling out and the Scripture, "Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble." So grateful I started my day with this blog.
ReplyDeleteUh oh - sounds like a bad day...
DeleteChill out? Oh that is so last decade....oh wait - it actually was written 10 years ago! (Fr. Lenny was always so hip!)
ReplyDeleteWhen I am under stress - I try always to go back to the breath first. I do a pattern of breathing like this - Inhale through the nose to a count of 4. Hold the breath and count to 7. Exhale through the mouth to the count of 8. I do that maybe three times, and it calms me enough so that I can pray. I have trouble praying when I'm tense. And in the course of my prayer I carefully examine the cause of my worry/stress - take it apart and see it for what it really is, and try to change my perspective on it. Once I've done that - I can really "chill out!" :)