Relax into Biblical Imagery with John 10:1-30

Terri guides you through a 10-minute relaxation journey with biblical imagery from John 10:1-30. Release tension as your body and mind enter into peace and God’s presence. Treat yourself to a mini-escape into fields of green and the presence of Jesus. Light background music calms your nervous system and thoughts. You deserve this. 

Subscribe to the podcast so you get the latest episode.

By subscribing to the Anchored Not Anxious CareLetter you will be uplifted, encouraged, and reminded to show yourself self-compassion. Get devotions, evidence-based resources, anchoring practices, self-help book recommendations, and receive the love of Jesus. Thank you for listening!

Transcript

Welcome to this guided imagery session. The intent of guided imagery is moving you away from an unsettled state of being or feeling, so you may enter into a state of calm and peace. 

Today's guided imagery has a biblical focus to assist with muscle relaxation while decreasing stress and tension. This biblical imagery is based on John:10:1-30. 

Let's get ready for this session by finding a comfortable seated position. If you are able, place both feet flat on the floor and allow your arms to rest at your side. 

You may place your hands, palms upward on your upper legs. Close your eyes. And draw your attention to the top of your head. Slowly drift your focus to your forehead. Lift your brows up, and then down to relieve tension. Once more, browse up and now down. Move your focus to your eyes. Soften the eyes. Release the muscles circling your eyes. 

Direct your focus to the jaw, gently wiggle your lower jaw back and forth. Let go of any stress here. Notice your shoulders. Gently press your shoulders down and away from your ears. Now lift the shoulders upward to the ears, and gently release.

Inhale deeply. Exhale slowly. Inhale deeply. Exhale slowly. Move your attention to your arms and hands, relax into suppleness.  

Notice your abdomen, your back; release any tension. Put your hand on your abdomen. Breathe in and feel your abdomen rise. Exhale slowly and feel it fall. Notice your legs. Gently flex your feet. Wiggle your toes.

Inhale deeply. Exhale slowly. You are still and at ease. 

Imagine you stand on the porch of a sprawling farmhouse. Breathe in the crisp clean air. The warmth of the sun touches your bare skin. As you lift your face to the sun, you see soft shades of blue and gray blending together, filling the horizon. You shift your gaze to take in the landscape surrounding the farmhouse to the left, you see a field of tall corn stalks. 

To the right is a field of green grass with large shade trees. There you see a man waving you to come. You step off the porch onto a smooth brown dirt path and walk to meet the man in the field as he comes towards you.  He greets you by name. It is a familiar and welcoming voice  come, he says, and you follow him to a weathered wooden bench.

He sits down and gestures you to do the same. 

You sit. As a gentle breeze kisses your face and body and carries the scent of fresh cut grass, an undeniable peace surrounds you. This peace settles deeper, inward, soothing your mind and resting over your heart, breaking the silence. 

The man leans toward your shoulder and says. "Watch this".

In a powerful voice, he calls to the field of grass and trees, "Come." You turn your face toward him, but he points to the field and your eyes follow his. 

One by one. They come from afar. A variety of sheep and lamb's approach.  Some coming so close, only a few yards away. You are amazed as they graze in your presence. There is no fear in them. 

You wonder at this and ask, how is this possible? The man says, "I know every sheep just as they know me". And as he speaks, a tan, brown lamb comes to eat at his feet. He continues, “They recognize my voice because I am always with them. I care for the sheep and put the sheep before myself, even if it means my life. I am the Good Shepherd.”  

His voice, his words, these lift the veil from your eyes. 

This is Jesus. Just being near him, the Savior Shepherd has wrapped you in peace and freedom. Then Jesus rises from the bench, and you follow, turning to face him. But he points you toward the horizon. 

And you look to see pinks and corals painted across the sky. The sun is setting. You turn your head back to Jesus, but he's not there. Yet you remain wrapped, in indescribable peace. As twilight descends, you recognize this is the peace he promises: Peace, I leave you. My peace, I give you. 

Truly, you are never beyond the reach of Jesus and his peace. This concludes the guided imagery. Slowly open your eyes. 

Take in this feeling of peace and calm. Embed this in your heart and mind. 

Thank you for listening. Until next time.