π¬οΈπA Good Word Wednesday #129 BREATHE
A little bit of help, hope and goodness for you each Wednesday
Has someone ever told you to stop and count to 10 when you are angry or overwhelmed? Like when your child is out of control or when you get news of something that triggers unhealthy stress for you? Maybe you even needed to count to 20 or more?
Have you ever heard of breath prayers? Itβs a way of praying that is especially helpful when you need to slow down when life is crazy. And just breathe. I like to use them with scripture. Like this one from Psalm 121:2. It works like this: Slowly breathe in and say the first part of the verse: βMy help comes from the Lord, Then, slowly release your breath and say: the Maker of heaven and earth. Itβs not complicated, but it does help you stop and concentrate on what and Who is most important. What other scriptures could you use?
Wednesday in the Word
βThe Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.β Job 33:4
βThus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it.β β Isaiah 42:5
βAll Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,β 2 Timothy 3:16
SHARE YOUR GOOD WORDS
Good Question(s) of the Week: What helps you slow down and concentrate on Who matters most?
Good Words from Unseen People
From Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life with Your Neighbors and the Nations, βDid You Hear That?β p. 49
Listenβ¦. Do you hear that?β¦. Nothing?β¦. Exactly.
I take that back. I hear the wind through the trees and autumn leaves wisping to the ground. The solo of a bird chirping nearby. Itβs music to my soul. The quiet. The coolness. The nothingness of being stillβ¦
And I hear something. Itβs a whisper, but I hear itβ
βItβs ok to spend some time with me. Itβs ok to be still.β And then it was quiet.
I didnβt say, βWhat was that? Can you say that again please a little louder? I didnβt hear you.β Because I did. The truth had already sunk deep into my soul β βJust be still for a season and listen. Itβs ok to enjoy me.β
Please click the book cover below to get your copy of Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life with Your Neighbors and the Nations.
GOOD WORDS I RECOMMEND
Photo: She Is Safe
A Good Book: Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul, Jennifer Tucker
A Good App: On the Bible App, search for: Calm Your Anxiety and Restore Your Soul: 7 Days of Breath Prayers.
Another Good App: The Pause App
A Good Song: βBreatheβ, Jonny Diaz
Another Good Song: βBreath of Heavenβ, Amy Grant
And Another Good Song: βBreathe on Me,β Hillsong
A FINAL GOOD WORD
I remember from my childhood, singing in church the hymn, βBreathe on Me.β When I was a little girl, I thought that song was creepy. Why would I want anyone to breathe on me? And I thought the lyrics sounded old and awkward. When I grew up and grew into my faith, I realized it was talking about the Holy Spirit breathing life into you:
βBreathe on me, breathe on me, Holy Spirit, breathe on me; Take Thou my heart, cleanse every part, Holy Spirit, breathe on me.β
Thatβs my prayer for me and all of us this week. Holy Spirit, take my heart, make me clean, breathe your life into me now.
Thank you for reading these words. Iβm deeply honored to share this time with you each week. See you next Wednesday with a new good word.
Gratefully yours,