by Tonja Taylor
"I'm going to take a bath and go to bed early!" I declared out loud, after a potentially-stressful hour of having to deal with trouble about my mother's insurance not paying for her recent nursing home stay, while having to decide quickly whether to rush over and get her out--with no help in place for her, and all shut down at her house because of immediately incoming ice-storm type weather, etc.
Through the years, the LORD has used a plain old hot bath (up to my neck, with apple cider vinegar (ACV) and baking soda and a few drops of coconut oil and essential oils added) through the years to relax me, soothe and refresh tired and/or aching muscles, and just give me some private quiet time with Him--even if I fell asleep.
He commands us to "labor to enter into His rest," which both involves trusting in Him with our spirits (hearts) and souls (mind, will, and emotions), and also to rest physically.
For he who has once entered [God’s] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors, just as God rested from those labors peculiarly His own.--Hebrews 4:10, AMPC
Besides a physical bath, of course, the best bath is a spiritual one: "Soaking" in the Presence of God! For me, this means worship; singing to the LORD, with or without music, or turning up particular worship songs that really minister to me. I did both last night, and was so refreshed! I danced and did sign language to the LORD (which I learned years ago--specifially to worship Him, and only use it for that), and even sat down for a few minutes, and just got quiet.
A spiritual bath is always a rest, a refreshing! Hallelujah!
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]--Matthew 11:28, AMPC
I also quoted Scriptures from my heart, speaking them out of my mouth.
In addition, I prayed off and on in the Holy Spirit (tongues. I'm so glad I broke the wrong attitude where I'd thought they were not of God, and received the baptism! Praying in the Spirit has helped me in so many ways through the years!).
I also forgave out loud the people involved that were causing trouble. It truly was not them--for we "wrestle not with flesh and blood (people), but with powers and principalities (demons)..."--but I needed to forgive them, to free my soul from resentment and any resentment or seed of bitterness trying to get started. I prayed for them to have peace and grace and wisdom and comfort.
Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].--James 5:16, AMPC
All of this was an excellent "spiritual bath," for it is indeed the Spirit of God, the Living Water (Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:10), that washes the real us; our spirits within!
Jesus answered her, If you had only known and had recognized God’s gift and Who this is that is saying to you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him [instead] and He would have given you living water.--John 4:10, AMPC
So, a cool thing about a spiritual bath is that you can do it anywhere; in your car, your back yard, your office, your kitchen, even your workplace. I've often escaped to the bathroom at my workplaces to pray in the Spirit and quote Scriptures over wrong situations and attitudes! So can you!
When we open our mouths and let God speak through us, things change! It may not be seen immediately, but the Word of God never returns void (Isaiah 55:10-12)!
So if you need to rest and be refreshed, may you allow yourself a physical hot bath (if you like those; they are still going to help you, even if you prefer showers!), and most of all, a cleansing by the Spirit of God!
Tonja K. Taylor is a free worshiper, author, teacher, wife, mother, and certified health coach who helps others on their journey to wholeness. She teaches classes on faith, worship, healtful living, writing, ESL, and more--in person and on her YouTube channel--"River Rain Creative Arts."
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