healing

Release Worry

~ Extravagant Hope ~ Leave a comment

I am a worrier and an overthinker. I rehearse all the what-ifs because I’m afraid of being blindsided and having no control.


Like many of us, bad things have blindsided me more times than I like to remember. The blindsiding leaves wounds that don’t quite heal–a nervous system always on alert, scanning and planning to try and prevent one more thing. It is an exhausting way to live and takes such a toll on us.

I’m in a season of life where I want more joy, peace, calm, and a surrendered way of living. Surrendered. That’s a tough one for us controllers. I am a work in progress!

Each day I talk to Jesus about everything going on. I do my best to carefully place all the people, things, pets, circumstances, and what-ifs into His hands…and leave them all there with Him. I confess, I often have to give it all to Him again and again, but He knows my heart. He knows I’m trying and how hard and frightening it is.

I love this verse. I needed to see it today. This is truth. Worrying will not add anything joyful, peaceful, calm, or surrendered to my life. It will perpetuate the cycle of fear, hyper-vigilance, and rehearsing all the outcomes.

I don’t want to miss the beauty, joy, peace, and blessings that my Father wants to pour out for me to enjoy and rest in, as I go about my day. He wants to do that for you, too, my fellow worrier. How He loves us!


I prayed for us this morning that God would speak to us, heal us, and calm our worried minds, as He reminds us that He’s got us and He’s trustworthy. He won’t fail us.

Rest

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Let your shoulders drop, your jaw unclench, your heart breathe, and lean into Jesus. He’s got you. He knows what’s ahead of you today. He knows how it will all turn out.

He says that His presence will go with you wherever your path leads you. He will give you rest, He will hold you up, and He will speak heavenly, healing things to your mind, body, and spirit.

Divine Series

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Good morning! If you haven’t checked out my 4 devotional books, The Divine Series, I invite you to click the link below ⬇️ and check them out.

Discover the God who meets you in every moment—compassionately, powerfully, and always with love.

The Divine Series by Melissa Giomi is a collection of devotionals inviting readers to slow down, breathe deeply, and encounter God in the midst of everyday life. Through poetry inspired by nature, engaging storytelling, and vivid imagery rooted in Scripture, each book offers a fresh way to discover His presence—in a rushed morning routine, a peaceful hike, a whispered prayer, or the chatter of a mountain stream.

Whether you’re overwhelmed by busyness, longing for peace, or simply seeking a deeper sense of connection, the Divine Series becomes a spiritual sanctuary—your invitation to be present and rediscover the beauty of a life lived with God.

This series guides you back to the truth that you are never alone. God is here in the whisper of the wind, the warm glow of a sunset, or the solace of hike in the Redwoods.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2G2ZJSD

His Temple

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I always find God in Nature. Standing under the towering Redwoods that have been there for thousands of years is so humbling.


God’s hands that formed these majestic trees–His presence still lingers, and swirls, and fills my lungs with heavenly breath. Supernatural, ancient, wise.


This is His temple. His creation, His wisdom, His joy. I feel Him closer here than most anywhere else.

He Listens

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Photo credit: Kate

The gentleness of God is so beautiful. Imagining God bending down, His face level with mine, listening intently to my prayers, His heavenly breath wrapping me up —so safe, so loved, so cherished.

Whatever you need from Him this morning, He is listening. He’s right here. Speak His name, whisper it if you need to. He hears you. He loves you.

A Moment of Peace

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Photo credit: dicle dağkıran

Happy Wednesday!

A rainy morning, hot coffee, talking to Jesus, and a flickering candle — that feels about right.

Blessings on you and your day. I pray you will feel His Divine presence and love all around you. You are enough.

Peace, Be Still

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Photo Credit: Connor Scott McManus

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”

Jesus is right there with you in whatever storms are brewing on the horizon or that are already surrounding you.

Can you hear Him speaking to your heart even now? “Peace, be still.”

He will never leave you or forsake you. He stays. In the calm, in the peace, in the joy, and through the storms, the heartbreak, and chaos.

With a word, a glance, a brush of His robe the storm is stilled, fear is silenced, and worry is blanketed with His unending peace.

Whisper His name. He’s got you. Even the wind and waves obey Him.

Food for the Soul

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I hope you take a moment today and fill your soul with beauty and peace.

It’s ok to rest. You can’t give from an empty cup.

Refresh, restore, renew and give those lists and worries to God. He can handle it.

Photo credit: Ahmet Yuksek

Basket of Blessings!

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Photo credit: Corentin Henry

I’m up early with hot coffee, watching the garden wake up. Sunlight filtering through the apple tree branches washes the Jasmine and Lavender in a soft, feathery light. I can smell their soft scent perfuming the air – so soothing and calm.

The birds sing, scold, and flit through the trees and butterfly bush waiting for their turn at the feeders.

Today I plan to cut fresh flowers for the vase on my patio table. The bright cheerful colors makes me happy. It fills me with a quiet, peaceful joy to collect them, with their different colors and fragrances, in my garden basket. My little basket of blessings!

I love that God handpicks those things that He knows we love and enjoy to bless us. It is so healing and restful to find bits of joy and lovely surprises as we make our way through each day. How He loves us!

Cup of Blessing

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I love the imagery in this verse .The Lord is my cup of blessing.

When I imagine a cup, I immediately think of my favorite coffee mug. It’s familiar, comforting, filled with something warm and soothing that makes me happy. It feels peaceful and safe.

Of course Jesus is SO much more than a mere coffee mug, but He is comforting, safe, and soothing. He delights in bringing joyful, happy, lovely things into our lives to help soothe and comfort us when life blindsides us, wounds us, and we walk in seasons that are overwhelming and so tiring.

Walking with Him and being in His presence is the true blessing. That He loves us enough to give us even more is an undeserved, yet beautiful kindness.

He guards all that is ours and draws a boundary around what He’s given us. Those we love are guarded, protected, and hemmed in. We can let go of the fear and exhaustion of trying to control and manipulate life and circumstances to keep our loved ones safe. He’s got them. They are safely tucked up into the folds of His robe. He knows what He’s doing. We can breathe out, let our shoulders settle, and allow the joys from His cup of blessing to pour over us – healing, delighting, and comforting.