Psalms of Honesty and Truth
Ever wonder why we hug? Tight hugs by someone you love and you know they love you are exhilarating! You feel the beat of their heart against yours. You find comfort in their familiar smell and feel their warm breath on your neck. You look into their eyes and see honesty and pure love.
Tight hugs, according to psychologists, are physically and emotionally healthy. Some believe that hugging is a way for mothers to bond with their offspring. It’s not only good for you emotionally, but hugging can contribute to your physiological well-being, too. There are a number of benefits to embracing someone you love or even like.
1. TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS — When we hug or touch in any way such as kissing or handholding, it releases a hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone from the pituitary gland that plays a crucial role in intimacy and sexual reproduction. It also contributes to trust, bonding, and connecting with other people. Hugging has also been proven to fight loneliness.
2. TO FEEL SAFE — Touch and hugs also have the ability to help people who suffer from low self-esteem. The warm embrace of someone can change a person’s mood substantially.
3. TO STAY HEALTHY — Oxytocin also helps to decrease the risk of heart disease. It also helps to reduce the amount of the stress hormone cortisol that is in our bodies. Having this friendly touch, just somebody simply touching our arm and holding it, buffers the physiological consequences of this stressful response.
SO…why all this hugging information? I am struck by the Psalmist asking God, “Oh, love me–and right now!–hold me tight! just the way you promised.” So, this morning I looked up why we hug to confirm my own suspicions that hugging tightly was created by God. That longing in our hearts to be hugged by God who love us most and loves us best, unconditionally, can be fulfilled by focusing on Him, looking into His eyes, feeling the breath of His Holy Spirit breathe over us and even feeling the beat of His heart for the world who is lost. Embrace God and all that He intimately wants to share with us and He will hug us tightly in return. He promised!
Psalm 119:73-80, The Message
With your very own hands you formed me;
now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you.
When they see me waiting, expecting your Word,
those who fear you will take heart and be glad.
I can see now, God, that your decisions are right;
your testing has taught me what’s true and right.
Oh, love me—and right now!—hold me tight!
just the way you promised.
Now comfort me so I can live, really live;
your revelation is the tune I dance to.
Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds;
they tried to sell me a bill of goods,
but I kept my mind fixed on your counsel.
Let those who fear you turn to me
for evidence of your wise guidance.
And let me live whole and holy, soul and body,
so I can always walk with my head held high.
Dear Heavenly Father, Hold us closely and hug us tightly. Thank you for promising never to let us go from Your Holy Presence.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Now, go hug someone! Your hug just might change their life by changing their mood today!
