And breathe…

Where do you go, when you need to go and breathe…

A few months ago I had a rather full on and challenging few days and it got to 4pm in the afternoon and I realised that I needed to step out of all the busyness and stress and breathe in the Autumn air. The sun was shining and I walked through all the stunning early autumn colours to the local nature reserve, that we are blessed to have right on our doorstep. It is a wonderful place to go and sit on a bench (from where the above image was taken), and breathe…

Sometimes we just need to step out of the chaos, craziness, stress and anxiety of this broken world, and simply reconnect with God. I’ve discovered over the years that one of the places where I find it easiest to re-connect with Him is within His incredible creation – whether it be watching the waves crashing against the shoreline, the stunning countryside, mountains and hills, or the peaceful still waters of a lake.

The fact is that God meets us where we are at.

And breathe…

Perhaps you’re in a really dark place right now or feeling anger and frustration with your situation? Perhaps you’re wondering how on earth you ended up in the position you are in? Perhaps you’re wondering why God allowed what has happened to you? 

Perhaps you’re just feeling completely overwhelmed by life itself? Perhaps you’re overcome with feelings of loss and bereavement and can see no way forward? Perhaps you’re overcome with anxiety and fear? Perhaps life has thrown you an enormous curveball and you don’t know which way to turn?

And breathe…

I’ve discovered that just as the human body breathes out and then breathes in, it is a good spiritual practice to breathe out before we breathe in. David encouraged us to do just that, with these words:

“O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalms 62:8 NLT)

We all need that space to breathe out (to bring before Father everything that we are struggling with). As I sat by my local lake during that crazy week, I re-discovered the benefits of breathing out all my stress, frustrations, anxieties, fears and concerns. And the amazing thing is, that as I breathed out, God breathed into me some encouraging promises from His Word:

“So I say to my soul, “Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be disturbed. For I know my God will break through for me.” Then I’ll have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again. Yes, he is my saving grace!” (Psalms 42:11 TPT)

The older versions say; 

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalms 42:11)

And breathe…

I needed reminding, in spite of the circumstances that I found myself in, with all its frustrations and challenges, that if I put my trust and hope in God again, the time would come when I would yet praise Him. What a wonderful promise!

Within a few moments as I sat and enjoyed God’s presence I was also reminded again of these words in Isaiah:

“Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:30-31 NLT)

And I found myself saying, ‘God – I may not be that old – but I certainly need some of that!’

Paul wrote these words to the Roman Christians:

“Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, he will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you!” (Romans 8:11 TPT)

Now I know that Paul is speaking of the promise of resurrection to eternal life, but we should not be afraid to ask God to breathe new life into our weak, weary earthly bodies. At times we need just that!

And breathe…

I’m reminded of the words of the old hymn:

Breathe on me, breath of God:
fill me with life anew,
that I may love as you have loved
and do as you would do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with yours
to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God;
fulfil my heart’s desire,
until this earthly part of me
glows with your heavenly fire.

Breathe on me, breath of God;
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
of your eternity.

(Edwin Hatch (1835 – 1889)

And breathe…

Whatever you’re facing today – can I encourage you to find a space where you can breathe out and breathe in. Both are needed. And breathe…why not make that beautiful old hymn your personal prayer right now?