You're listening to Encounter, a simple daily podcast of sacred and mindful meditations

to help you encounter the divine presence of God all throughout your day.

If you want to have free access to the entire library of 500 meditations, I encourage

you to download the Encountering Peace app where all the meditations are free as they should be.

It's often reported that the number one fear among people around the world

is in spiders, it's not snakes or heights or even death. Believe it or not,

it's actually public speaking. You may be nodding your head right now in agreement. And if so,

then imagine this. You're at a really big family Thanksgiving dinner.

You're an invited friend, you're not part of the family. In fact, you barely know anyone there.

So you are floored when the head of the house clinks their glass, gets everyone's attention.

And then asks you, yes you, to say a few words and then give the opening prayer.

Can you feel yourself just melting into the chair and sliding under the table?

Have you ever been in a situation like that? Call upon to say a few words and then

nothing, just stone cold silence.

Well, the theme of this meditation from First Chronicles chapter 29 is finding victory

in the right words to say, specifically finding words of thanksgiving to say to God.

So whether it's sunrise or sunset, intentionally set aside this time to lift your heart,

your mind and your soul to God, in soft whispered words and victorious thoughts of thanksgiving.

Start by taking three deep, slow belly breaths.

As your eyes start to close softly and trust in this place of thanksgiving, this time of blessing

and newly found words of joy to God, spirit and sun.

Prepare by listening and praying through this passage from Isaiah chapter 12 and respond softly,

...