When is the last time you took a moment to just breathe? I don’t mean collapsing on the couch to binge watch Netflix in complete mental exhaustion.
I mean really, just to breathe. No phone. No podcast. No subliminal mental agenda. No distractions.
Our society is sick. Over stimulated, over pressured. And instead of breeding a culture with the strength to heal it, we feed into it by caving into the pressure, falling before we can even begin to make a difference.
The truth is, when we are not well as an individual – not only do we find ourselves constantly overwhelmed fighting between fits of over-productivity and total mental collapse…
We can’t help others, because we can’t help ourselves.
We live in a digital era, where a wealth of information is at our fingertips. We’ve researched every aspect of our lives from the best morning routine to how to how to fix our relationships. We also run to technology to fix our most personal issues in our lives.
How can I fix my anxiety. Why am I so depressed. How can I save my marriage. While we’re quick to spot the problem, we have failed to seek the most obvious solutions.
Google doesn’t know why you’re depressed. It knows that depression exists, and it knows out of 100 people surveyed there was a mathematical equation of reasons why. The only person who really knows why you’re struggling – is you.
That’s right. You don’t even have to find it on your cell. You don’t have to read dozens of articles. Because deep in our hearts, we understand a lot more about ourselves than even we realize.
The problem, you’re not taking the time to think it through. You want the answer without thinking – without self examination.
Because maybe, we don’t want to know some things about ourselves. Maybe it’s too painful. Maybe we want to find something else to blame like a chronic illness that everyone is struggling with or social media. Maybe because we don’t want to fix it. We want someone else to. Or we want to put a bandaid over it so we don’t have to look at it ever again.
Breathe. Reflect. And not in a rabbit tunnel of your darkest thoughts – that’s where anxiety is fed. Be in control of your thoughts. Even better, let God guide your thoughts.
It’s amazing what a moral compass does when we hold ourselves accountable to thinking through our problems from a pure, righteous perspective. Suddenly everything becomes a lot more clear.
Like we’re seeing ourselves and our surroundings for the first time. Like a fog is wiped away from our eyes.
Fighting with a spouse or loved one? Googling why he drives you crazy isn’t going to help. Breathe. Why are they saying that? What is your first response? Why is that your first response? Is your first response right? Or are you just counterattacking or defending yourself?
Find your cure. Don’t let the world tell you it’s not your fault or give you pre-packaged solutions that have nothing to do with your actual problems.
Feeling anxious about the future? Why? Is it because you’re under prepared? Or are you worried about something completely out of your control? Is it a legitimate concern? Or have you let your rabbit trail of negative thoughts breed deeper anxiety and even fear.
You can’t change the past, but you can change your present and your future.
Or maybe you’re just saying fuck it. Living your life the way you want because solving your problems feels like too much effort.
Breathe. Seek what is right and pure. Control your thoughts, instead of letting them control you. Learn to identify what is in your control – and what is not. Only then can you find peace with yourself.
And then, just maybe, you can be well enough not only to live a life of light for yourself and your loved ones – maybe then we can save the world.
“God has chosen you to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” – Colossians 1:27-28
day in my dreams 
Just breathing is the hardest thing to do.
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It is! We’ve gotten ourselves out of the habit.
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