Just Breathe by: Vanessa Gutierrez

What a summer! My family and I have found new normals these last few months. However, I personally felt lost for a bit. With so many restrictions, friends and family dealing with sickness, and the lack of community; my heart was feeling an ache. Some days I would feel suffocated with the weight and chaos of the world.

Has anyone else felt like this?

Let me share two easy practices that helped me cope with all of this:

The first was a consistent time every morning in the word and prayer. Those quiet times are my time to pour out my pain and troubles to the Lord. He lifts the weight of this world off my shoulders while drawing me near to Him. John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have OVERCOME the world”. The word of God became my peace and comfort. Those quiet times and sitting with the Lord in his presence is where I found peace inside of me.

“Peace I leave with you; my PEACE I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

The second practice I applied was getting some kind of daily physical activity. I go for walks or take bike rides around my neighborhood. During those times, I usually play worship music or listen to a podcast; and several times I have felt God so near that I would stop to BREATHE in His presence. I found God in my daily exercise too!

See, He is always around us. When the enemy tells you that you are alone and defeated, you can find comfort in His truth. Whatever season you are in you can breathe in God’s peace. Whether you are in the valley, desert, or mountain top –  you can find Him if you draw near.

“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” Genesis 2:7.

What does this look like for you? Are you holding your breath? Or maybe you are breathing in the wrong air?

Here is a song that has been on repeat for me this summer. It reminds me that when I begin to feel suffering, worry, or chaos; I can take a moment to breathe in His presence.

Let Him breathe His breath of life over you today.

John 16:32-33, “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have  PEACE. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have OVERCOME the world.” God becomes our BREATH OF LIFE and PEACE. 

“Breathe” by Anna Golden  

I found peace in the chaos

I found peace in suffering

I found peace in confusion

I found peace inside of me

I can finally breathe again

I can finally breathe again

I found You in the river

I found You in suffering

I found You on the mountain

You were always around me