Hugs from Heaven

Sometimes you just need a big hug to feel better. A hug gives us the assurance that we are loved. Research shows that hugging (and also laughing) is extremely effective at healing sickness, disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress. It builds trust and helps us to feel safe. Virginia Satir, a respected family therapist, says, “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.”

Wow! I think I need some more hugs with only two of us in the house most days. What about you? How many hugs do you get a day? Why not count them for a day and see how you’re doing in the hug department.

I remember when my Mom passed away in December, the hugs of loving and caring family and friends meant the world to me and brought me great comfort. One particular hug reduced me to tears. My son flew in from CO to AL, then he and one of my daughters drove to PA for the funeral. As soon as he walked through the door at my aunt’s house he wrapped his arms around me real tight and gave me a huge bear hug that just reduced me to tears.

It’s important to have people who will speak kind, loving words to us and give physical hugs, but it’s even more important we remember to look to the source of love–God, and realize He sends us “hugs from heaven” in His Word.

Do you need a hug from God today? As you read each of the seven verses below, think of it as receiving seven giant bear hugs from heaven. God loves you more than you can imagine!

Depending on the translation of the Bible you use, the word love appears anywhere from 442-684 times. I don’t know how many of those verses speak of God’s love for us, but this I know, He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). And those words were enough to turn Israel’s mourning into joy. Today, if you are grieving, depressed, lonely, or just need a hug, meditate on these verses to receive hugs from heaven.You are loved with an everlasting love!