Women’s Devotion: Breathe!

““Let Your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.” Psalm 119:76

Recently, I was unexpectedly hospitalized after a scheduled procedure angered my pancreas. Battling with extreme pain, I begged for meds to gain some relief, only to discover that the very drug that took away the sharp pain radiating across my abdomen, also slowed my breathing to nearly a stop. Oxygen was administered and a firm reminder by my loved ones to, “BREATHE!” kept my oxygen levels from dropping too low. Isn’t that the way it is sometimes when we are hyper-focused on the problem? Sometimes our methods of coping produce new, unforeseen issues. In reflection on the experience, I’m reminded of how much of life is a careful balancing act.

If you work too hard, your family craves quality time with you and relationships can suffer. If you pour all of yourself into a friendship or a romantic relationship, you may lose your sense of self and adapt to the other in unhealthy ways. If you put all your energy into chasing an ideal body image through extreme dieting, your overall health may suffer in the long term. Life is about balance.

There was a time, not long ago, when I found myself in a bit of a tailspin, craving community and a reminder of God’s grace as our most trustworthy compass. When we are in tailspins or seasons of change, often the pendulum swings to an extreme. We isolate during times of grief; we tackle a new job until exhaustion after years of study; we pour all we have into a new baby after years of infertility. Humans love to dive head in. But, the calling of our Lord is to walk the journey of life with steadfastness. This is a word we don’t often use in our everyday vernacular, but it’s useful in understanding the love of God and how we are to live that love out.

Steadfastness is defined as faithful, constant, loyal consistency. This is how God loves us – with a faithful, constant, loyal, consistent love.

In life, when we are tempted to take on too much, our balance can be thrown off and we are likely to burn out. When this happens our effectiveness is diminished. God’s steadfast love is demonstrated to inspire us to love and live with patient consistency – faithfully balancing our relationships and schedules.

So, when you are running a little too hard and fast in one direction. Remember, life is a marathon, not a sprint. Sometimes you have to remember to slow down and “BREATHE” God’s grace back into balance.

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