Everywhere I turn, magazines, tweets, and blogs are telling me to practice “mindfulness.” I am not sure what that means, but I like the simplified thought of “Breathe between breaths.” And right now, I am trying hard to do just that. Deep breathing lessens stress, lowers blood pressure, and clears the head. It is one of those profound gifts from the Intelligent Creator that needs no instruction.
The Lord gave us the command to “Be still and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10 NLT. We try to sit still, but the worries, fears, anxiety, and doubts crowd the mind like sticky spider webs. Remember this? Did you really do that? What if?
In Genesis 2:7 we read, “Then the Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.” He is the giver of life, and Jesus came that we might have life more abundantly (John 10:10). The disciples hid in fear behind locked doors, but Jesus suddenly was standing there among them… Then He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
In between all our goings and comings, to do lists, goal sheets, and deadlines, there is a beautiful place where God calls us to breathe in and receive living refreshment. He “inflates” our souls, as the Hebrew word explains, filling us with joy and gladness. With every breath you take, He is thinking good thoughts about you and for you. With every quiet moment you open your spirit to receive His Spirit, you can rise above circumstance, criticism, or even your carnal self.
“As a face us reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” Prov 27:19
Breathe deep and show the world your heart today!
Love like you haven’t been hurt.
Show mercy to the unlovely.
Give with abandon.
Endure through hardship.
Always expect Amazing.
—Diane Strack, Founder and President of She Loves Out Loud