Just Breathe – Day 10

Late last year I came across an Apple watch – open box at Best Buy. It didn’t have all the extra parts and it was a good deal. So, being the gadget lover I am – it came home with me.

I have become used to its bossiness when it tells me to stand up and move – I usually listen because I easily settle into my favorite chair and time becomes irrelevant to me.

My granddaughter and I attended a delightful program at a local church last night. David Payne, the British actor performed a stage portrayal of C.S. Lewis. It was wonderful. If you ever have an opportunity to attend – don’t miss it.

Halfway through the program my watch vibrated and I assumed it was telling me to stand. Imagine my surprise when this is what I saw.

-Breathe.

-Take a minute to breathe.

-Breathe.

Hmmm.

Bossy thing.

I took a deep breath and exhaled.

How did that happen?

How did I forget to breath?

But a big part of me wasn’t surprised.

I just never had anyone or anything paying attention before. No one ever realized how much of my life I spent holding my breath. Waiting for the next proverbial shoe to drop.

There were times in 2013 after I had received several phone calls with life altering, devastating news about  my loved ones that I began holding my breath as I answered – my first words uttered – are you ok? Only after receiving a positive response was I able to exhale – releasing that tightly held air deep in my lungs.

This holding the breath thing – I’ve decided it is rooted in fear. Grief has created a perpetual presence of fear in my life.

Holding our breath isn’t healthy – neither is living in fear.

Slowly, I began to unravel the cocoon holding it all tightly together in me. Once I had named the root of it fear, I was able to search for the solution to release its hold on me.

Remembering how much the bible talks about fear, I went in search of the answers there.

Psalm 24:4   I sought the Lord, and he answered me; 

he delivered me from all my fears. 

Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; 

they shall mount up with wings like eagles; 

they shall run and not be weary; 

they shall walk and not faint. 

1 John 4:18-19 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with

punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

We love because he first loved us.

                                                      Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life: 

Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. 

I going to believe the watch telling me to breath is a good thing. If it reminds me to exhale – breath in the good – exhale the stress and the fear – then it will become a very helpful tool.

If it helps me to remember to exhale the fear and inhale God’s love – that is really good.

Pay attention this week. Do you ever catch yourself holding your breath? Figure out what’s going on around you and in you when you do. Name it. Reject its power over you. Ask God to take it away.

“Lord, please help us to pay more attention to the distractions and the ways we react even unknowingly to the things that want to separate us from You. Help us to lean into You and Your promises and Your love and learn to inhale, exhale, inhale and exhale. Replace the fear with the awareness of Your presence in our lives. Let us rejoice in how You love us. Let us rest in that and sleep well tonight. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”