The Sense of Him

"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

Psalm 119:103

Becoming grounded in the "here and now" decreases the patters of thinking. By becoming grounded in the moment, there is an opportunity to shift the way of thinking from either past or future thinking, to current experiences. While these current experiences may be challenging, they are more tangible and manageable than past and future. Despite the past having already occurred, the perception of the past may be offset by the current challenges being faced. Grounding is often done through mindfulness of the moment, of your surrounding, and your grasp of reality. This is a 5 step process that incorporates the 5 senses. See, hear, touch, smell, and taste. You may ask yourself to identify 5 things that you see, 4 things that you can touch, 3 things that you can hear, 1 thing that you can smell, and 1 thing that you can taste. By going through this process, you begin to become more in tune with your current state of existence. A sense of control can be gained through this experience. When experiencing depression and anxiety a sense of control is something that many will admit to not having, and desiring to have.

A relationship with God at times may be challenging, at times you may believe that He is unseen. He is unheard. He is untouchable, not smelled, or not tasted. In order to become grounded in Him. You have to become grounded in His existence as He is, not as you want Him to be. Basically, as believers you have to accept that His existence is in those things that you identify. He is in those 5 things that you see, 4 things that you touch, 3 things that you hear, 1 thing that you smell, and the 1 thing that you taste. His existence is in everything around you. You become grounded in Him when managing symptoms of depression and anxiety by creating a complete new level of mindfulness that may bring even more peace, rather than just identifying these things at face value. Below are various scriptures to reflect on the five senses and how you can become more grounded in Him.

See:

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

Hear:

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24

Touch:

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” John 20:27

For he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. Mark 3:10

But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” Matthew 17:7

Smell:

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 2 Corinthians 2:15

Taste:

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35

Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” John 6:27

Reflection:

When grounded yourself, how can you welcome God into this experience?

How can His existence change the way that you become mindful in times of depression and anxiety?

How might your mindfulness bring you into a state where you can see Him, hear Him, touch Him, smell Him, and taste Him? How does this change your experience of depression and anxiety? If at all.

Prayer:

Lord, I find myself questioning at times Your closeness to me, when I am stuck in the past or searching for the future. Lord allow my senses to become more connected to You in this moment, right now. As I experience these symptoms, or as I go about my day, may I be reminded that You are part of all these experiences, You are part of me and I am part of You. Father when I find myself falling, may my awareness of You keep me upright for another moment. Lord as I find things to see, hear, touch, smell, and taste, may I be reminded of Your goodness to allow me these experiences. Lord all my thanks is given up to You, my depression, my anxiety, Lord these are given to You so that I can be here, now, in this moment, in the peace that You desire for me. Lord I ask this in Your son's name. Amen.