Let's Do Some Guided Imagery

If you've never experienced a guided imagery session, Terri leads you through two brief sessions in this episode. Discover the purpose and benefit of imagery using biblical and non-biblical scripts as you gain a deeper understanding of how guided imagery can anchor you during mental and emotional upheaval. As a bonus, you get access to 2 biblical imagery scripts for personal use.

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Transcript

Welcome to Anchored Not Anxious. This is where you gain a deep belief your life matters to God and discover the anchoring practices to manage anxiety and worry. I'm Terri Hutchinson, your host. This episode introduces you to the concept of biblical imagery as a calming mechanism for anxious, thoughts and feelings. Let's dive in. A biblical imagery practice is based on the holistic technique called guided imagery and uses words and images from the Bible. The intent of guided imagery is moving you from an unsettled state of being or feeling to a state of calm and peace. Imagery is meant to slow your breath, relax your muscles, subdue tension and stress. Our ability to imagine is given by God, making it appropriate to combine guided imagery with scripture. We can imagine anything but not everything we imagine is good and beneficial for us. The apostle Paul uses this logic in 1 Corinthians 6. Creating a guided imagery script based on the word of guide is beneficial. And the words can guide us toward images of truth and Christ love. Let's do a bit of guided imagery right now using a non-biblical script. As I read the script, I will intentionally insert pauses giving you space to establish and develop the imagery. Let's get started. If you are able move into a comfortable position. Intentionally pull your shoulders down and away from your ears. Wiggle your lower jaw back and forth releasing any tension. Soften your facial muscles. Place your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on the top of your thighs. Close your eyes. Inhale deeply. Exhale slowly. I want you to imagine a mountain range. Tap into any prior memory you hold of the mountains. As your mountain comes into view, admire it's rugged beauty. Gaze upon its height, rising into the sky. Let your eyes wander across the jagged outline. Notice the nuance of color and shadow. Observed the density of towering trees. Take in its magnificence as you comprehend your smallness. This expansive wilderness surrounds and separates you from all busy-ness and noise. It is quiet. There is calm. There is peace. Just be. Breathe. This concludes the imagery session. This sample introduction to guided imagery gives you an understanding of how it can work. Were you able to achieve any relaxation or retreat from the present? Some of us are mountain mamas and had no problem connecting with the imagery. But I'm certain for others, it might have been a struggle to go there in your mind. Not a problem because you can find a relatable script, audio or video guided imagery session on the internet. Now let's combine the imagery technique with the words of the Bible. The Lord wants us influencing our thoughts and emotions with biblical words in images. This is why God's word exists. With contemplation and meditation we connect with Holy Spirit who speaks to us through the Word. Remembering God's Word and his faithfulness strengthens our resilience and calms our unsettled soul. Before I read an example of a biblical imagery script. Listen, first to the verses as written in Jeremiah 17:7-8 from the New Living Translation. “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. They're leaves stay green and they never stop producing fruit.” Now I will read the verses again with paraphrasing as a biblical imagery script. Once again move into a comfortable position. Pulling your shoulders down and away from your ears. Check your jaw for tension. Place your feet flat on the floor. Place your hands on the top of your thighs. Close your eyes. Inhale deeply. Exhale slowly. Imagine a flourishing tree by a river bed. Healthy. Green. Vibrant. You are this tree planted along the river bank. You have thick roots of trust and hope reaching deep into the water. You are anchored. When the searing heat of trials and struggles come upon you attempting to wither your roots, you are not bothered by any of it. You do not fret. You endure. You are resilient because the Lord is your strength. Nothing stops you from producing the fruit of confidence and peace in the promises of your Lord. You trust in the Lord and have made him your hope. Calm and peace surround you. This concludes this session of biblical imagery. In this script, the verses from Jeremiah 17 were personalized deepening its applicability so we see ourselves as a sturdy tree anchored with hope and trust in God's promises and love. A tree that does not wither because of trials, loss, fear, or despair. Jeremiah paints a picture of strength, power, and resolve. Words motivating us to reject discouragement. By harnessing the power of the biblical words and images, it gives us spiritual strength to remain an anchored soul who weathers the storms of life with trust and hope. Not so long ago, I meditated on this particular biblical image from Jeremiah before walking into a senior level meeting. My manager requested I defend our work on a tracking system. I knew it would be a contentious atmosphere. As one who avoids conflict, this type of situation created major stress for me. I prepared myself with the biblical image to cast off anxiety, remembering the Lord to be with me in that situation. This preparation helped me focus on the presentation rather than getting sidetracked by the anxiety and stress I felt. I hope you give guided imagery a try. To help you jumpstart your practice, go to the podcast website and find two guided imagery scripts. The first script is titled forest guided imagery for resilience and it's from the American Holistic Nursing Association. They created a free downloadable PDF with permissions to share. The second script is the biblical imagery script you heard in this episode. I hope these fortify your soul and strengthen your trust in God who is with you and for you. Please leave a review about Anchored Not Anxious on the podcast app. I would love to get your comments on anything you heard in this episode. Thank you for listening, until next time.