“What do you think the world would look like if every Christian knew, to the depths of their soul, that love is always God’s posture towards them?” Spiritual director Kathy Gust poses this question in a very moving article published in the January-February 2022 issue of live magazine.

It’s such a great question, because even though we know in our minds that God is love, we have a terrible tendency to live as though we’re forsaken and forgotten by Him, that we have to fend for ourselves and take care of ourselves.

More than anything I want to live my life out of a deep, abiding knowing of God’s love and presence in my life, and I want love – not fear, anger, defensiveness, self-protection, etc. – to be my first response in every circumstance. One thing I am doing as I lean in to this is to return to the age-old spiritual practice of internalizing truth by storing Scripture in my memory.

I started with Psalm 103. These are beautiful words to have echoing in your thoughts each day. Take a few minutes to read them slowly, meditatively, phrase by phrase. Let their meaning wash over you, penetrate your heart and minister deeply to you. Try memorizing them and recalling them throughout your day, and then listen for His voice.

Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

What is God speaking to you? How is He encouraging you? Is there a promise you need to hold onto right now, or a desire you need to bring before Him?