Let
the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body
you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
I recently found myself at an Urgent Care facility due to an asthma
episode that I was unable to overcome with my daily medications.
When a rescue inhaler will not open up your lungs and allow you to
comfortably breathe you quickly understand just how precious a single
breath of air can be.
When I see people hooked
up to oxygen, my heart goes out to them. I remember those like my
step-grandfather who had emphysema and was always hunched forward in his
chair fighting for a breath of air.
If you have ever had something essential taken away from you, and then
returned, your appreciation of that thing soars. As I recline in my
chair and write this devotion while breathing freely without restraint
upon my lungs, I find a full breath of air a wonderful gift from God.
Frequently I have sensed the Holy Spirit telling me to “just breathe”. I
immediately understand the point He is trying to get across to me. He
tells me to stop and breathe during times when I am in duress, need to
calm down, to quiet my mind, and get back to the essentials.
"Sometimes
the Lord rides out the storm with us and other times He calms the
restless sea around us. Most of all, He calms the storm inside us in our
deepest inner soul." — Lloyd John Ogilvie
Consider the saying: Just Breathe. What does it mean to you? Are you
willing to stop, or at least slow down, and enjoy the pleasure of a
fresh breath of air? Why not drop your anxieties, concerns, and worries
for a moment, and just take in a long deep breath of air while giving
thanks to God for His many blessings, large and small?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we take so much for granted that others would give almost
anything for, including a free, clean breath of air. Help us to be
mindful to take time to breathe and appreciate the numerous blessings
You give us each day. Amen.
Karlton Douglas
Copyright 2018
This really touched me Karlton, as my ("baby") brother has a rare lung disease that means he's on oxygen most of the day. He often struggles to breathe even with his oxygen tank & can only walk very short distances.... with puffing! It's soooooo hard to watch this! I'm thankful that you're breathing easier & wrote this special devotional. God bless. LOTSoluv Kerryn
ReplyDeleteKerryn,
ReplyDeleteThanks! You really appreciate something when you lose it, even if for short periods of time.
So sorry to hear that about your brother. I can imagine that is very tough to live with from day to day.
Praying for your brother.
God Bless You and Your Family!