I have an anxiety problem, not all the time, but sometimes life can overwhelm me. When I had a procedure done several weeks ago, my blood pressure was out of the roof, so high that the nurse said, “Oh my gosh, that is stroke level.” That is a great thing to speak to someone who is already nervous. It was then that I took the advice of my yoga people and remembered to breathe. Breathing in through my nose for 4 seconds, then exhaling for 4 seconds.
So last night, as I was thinking about anxiety, I googled “the Bible and worry,” and this is what AI said:
The Bible advises against worry by teaching believers to trust in God’s care, replace anxiety with prayer, and find peace through faith. Key verses encourage casting anxieties onto God, focusing on His power, and remembering that worrying does not solve problems but rather steals joy and faith. Instead of being anxious, Christians are instructed to pray, present their requests to God with thanksgiving, and accept the peace that surpasses understanding.
After I read that, I went back to my thoughts about breathing and why breathing helps me so much with anxiety.
God gave us breath. We are alive because of the pumping of our hearts and our breath. We take in our first breath, and we breathe out our last. I mean, the Bible describes breath as the divine “breath of life,” given by God to create living beings, sustain them, and even resurrect them. This is seen in the creation of Adam, God breathing life into him from dust, and in the resurrection visions of Ezekiel, where God commands breath to enter the dry bones, bringing them back to life. Breath is also used as a symbol of God’s life-giving power and presence, and of the fact that all living things are dependent on Him for life.
The concepts of “breathe and Christ” are linked through biblical symbolism, spiritual practices, and metaphorical meaning. Breath is a gift from God. It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and a connection to divine life. There is such a thing as breath prayers, where you are “breathing in Christ”. When you practice breath prayers, you become closer to God and experience a sense of peace.
It tells us in Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
No wonder we should do breath prayers.
There are some Biblical basics on breath in the Bible:
• Creation: In Genesis, God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,” signifying that breath is a divine gift that sustains life.
• Resurrection: After his resurrection, Jesus “breathed on his disciples and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit'” (John 20:22), creating a direct link between breath and the Holy Spirit.
• Symbolism: The Hebrew and Greek words for “spirit,” “wind,” and “breath” are often the same, reinforcing the idea that the Holy Spirit is the breath of God.
Guess what else- All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
So, take time and breathe in. Breathe in and say — I’m letting go — breathe out and say, I give it to you- God. It is almost like a CATCH AND RELEASE. Catch the worry and anxiety and give it to God. Try this the next time you are anxious, worried, or full of fear. I promise it works.
And remember:
1. Show up for JESUS – Start your day in the Word.
2. Show up for OTHERS – Serve others, whether they are like you or not, whether they annoy you or are difficult to understand. That is what Jesus did; He showed up for everyone.
3. Show up for YOU – You need to fill your cup before you can help fill others’ cups.
WE WILL FIND JOY WHEN WE SHOW UP FOR JESUS, OTHERS, AND OURSELVES.
As Father Mike says, “You pray for me, and I will pray for you.”
And as Tara Leigh says, He’s where the joy is.
Have a great week, Cupcake loves you and so does Jesus.
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