To Embrace
He leads me …
After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. Acts 20:1 (NKJV)
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:13 (NKJV)
In 1995 twin girls Kyrie and Brielle were born prematurely. They weighed only 900 grams (2 pounds) each, and they were nursed carefully in their own incubator. Kyrie began putting on weight straight away, but Brielle struggled. She cried and cried which left her gasping and blue faced. They nurses wrapped her in blankets, and both her mother and father held her. Nothing they did seemed to help. Finally, a hospital nurse took matters into her own hands and placed the babies in one incubator.
When they were placed together, the healthier of the two put her arm over her sister in an loving embrace. Almost immediately the desperate crying stopped and Brielle’s normal colour returned. Her heart rate stabilized and her temperature rose to normal. This is a true story revealing that encouragement can be a matter of life and death.[1]
9 reasons why we need at least eight hugs a day
According to Mindbodygreen.com, hugging provides a really powerful way of healing. Research shows that hugging (and laughter) are very effective at healing sickness, disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress. The research shows that a really deep hug, where the hearts are pressing together, can benefit us in the following ways -
The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust and a sense of safety. This helps with open and honest communication.
Hugs instantly boost oxytocin levels, which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger.
Holding a hug for an extended period of time of 20 seconds or more lifts serotonin levels, elevating mood.
Hugs strengthen the immune system. The gentle pressure on the sternum creates an emotional charge which activates the solar plexus chakra. This stimulates the thymus gland, which in turn regulates and balances the body's production of white blood cells.
Hugging boosts self-esteem. It begins when we are born and continues in our nervous system as adults. This means that hugs, connect us to our ability to self-love.
Hugging relaxes our muscles and releases tension in the body. Hugs can take away pain; in that they soothe aches by increasing circulation into the soft tissues.
Hugs balance the nervous system. Sensations are created on the skin which stimulates our nerve endings.
Hugs teach us how love flows both ways.
The energy exchange between people hugging is an investment in the relationship. It encourages empathy and understanding between both people, providing a win-win outcome.
Virginia Satir, a respected family therapist, once said, "We need four hugs a day for survival, eight hugs a day for maintenance and 12 hugs a day for growth." Eight or more hugs might seem like a lot, but why not go for as many as we can? Surely we, and the people who we care for can use all the love we can get!
So if embracing is so important in our lives, we should see that embracing the Christian life has its own benefits as well. As Hebrews 12:-2 says, ‘Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.’ (NKJV)
Embracing our Christian faith means more that our belief that Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead for our salvation. It requires engaging with the Holy Spirit.
He is not just someone who provides an emotional experience at a church service or prayer meeting. He wants to take an active part in our lives - every day. Remember the words of Jesus in John 14:26 where He says, ‘But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.’ (NKJV)
If we are open to Him, the Holy Spirit will be with us in all kinds of things that we do on a daily basis. When we are struggling with what to say, He will often put words into our head that are exactly what are needed. When we are a hurry to get our jobs done before we go to work, He will often remind us of things that we have forgotten before it is too late.
When it comes to others, He will often give us a Scripture to share or the words to say at the right time. We know that He is with us when we encourage someone and they respond with, ’Oh, I just needed to hear that.’ Sometimes He will prompt us to contact someone, and when we do, they reply, ‘I was just thinking about you.’
Let us embrace what Isaiah 41:10 says – ‘Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.’ (NKJV)
It has nothing to do with how strong we are. As someone once said, God is not concerned about our ability, only our availability. And if we prove our dependability, He will increase our capability.’
As we step out for Him and He works through us, watch how we are not just a blessing to others, but we too are truly blessed.
[1] https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/embracing-encouragement-tim-hinrichs-sermon-on-encouragement-164856?page=1&wc=800