We have seen it on movies and TV, the protagonist gets a panic attack and then someone gives her a paper bag to breathe on. The victim then breathes in and then breathes out until she gains her bearings once again.
Breathing in and out, even without a paper bag, is said to help people calm down. While it does not resolve the issue altogether, it is said to assure our bodily systems that everything is alright and it can function as optimally as it can. For this reason, people who are in pain, and even those who are about to deliver babies, are encouraged to breathe in and out to help them endure.
For us followers of Jesus, praying and reading God’s word can be likened to breathing in and breathing out. When we read God’s word, it is like inhaling. When we pray, it is like exhaling or breathing out our thoughts, supplication, thanksgiving, and even our heart’s deepest sighs to our loving Creator.
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7
One cannot be complete without the other. We cannot just keep on reading The Word without communicating our thoughts to God through prayers. At the same time we cannot just keep on talking to God without knowing what He has to tell us.
Reaching out to God takes both talking and listening. When we pray, we talk to God, when we read and reflect on His words, that is when we listen to what He is saying.
From God’s word we can seek His guidance, His assurance, and His love for us. From our prayers, we can worship Him, acknowledge His Lordship over our lives, thank Him for the wonderful things He has done for us, and tell Him what we have in our minds.
We can always tell Him our thoughts, our fears, and anxieties, our regrets and resentments, and our pleas for help. There is nothing we cannot pray about to our sovereign God.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
And so when we are out of breath, problematic, and unsure as to how to go about life because of what’s being thrown at our path, we can breathe in and breathe out as we reach out to God. This way, we get to experience the Lord’s presence and receive His assurance that will give us peace amidst the inevitable turmoils we encounter in life.
“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!” Psalm 119:1-3
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Philippians 4:4-13 and Psalm 119:1-16 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: How has God’s word and prayers helped you during times you were out of breath because of life’s troubles?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for being my good and tender-hearted God. For being my Lord who allows me to come near you and listen to what you have to say. For being my Heavenly Father who listens to my sentiment Shower me with the grace of being assured that I am always in your protective embrace. Amen.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
