I remember very clearly when my boss told me to take a deep breath.
I had an angry customer on the phone who was demanding an answer I couldn't give him. I felt the customer's pain but also the urgency in his voice. It revved up energy in me that didn't know I had.
So in a blaze of glory, I rushed into my manager's office, listing out all the things this person was demanding an answer for. When I finished, I felt the tension in my body.
"Mariah, I want you to take a breath.", was the first thing he said to me after my dramatic speech. Having had experience in the mental health field, I understood what he was trying to do. Initially, I was angry and annoyed. But then I took a breath. A deep one. Then I took another one. And another until I physically felt the tension melt away.
This didn't solve my problem. I still had a customer waiting for me. But now I was able to take direction. He guided me on what to say and I was able to continue my job. But it was a powerful lesson for me.
The only thing that I can control is myself. The only emotions I can control are my own. And that's a daily struggle....
But the power of breath work helps me clarify whether something is work getting upset at or not.
I find it intriguing when we talk about breathing. Many Christians balk at the idea of breath work, associating it with eastern religions. But what we fail to realize is that we are Spirit-breathed beings. Now before your alarms bells go off and you exit this page I want to explain what I mean.
In the beginning when God created Adam from the dust, the very last thing before Adam became alive, was God literally breathed life into him. He gave Adam a portion of His spirit. No Adam wasn't God nor would he ever be God. But he was able to commune with God spiritually. He could interact with God and worship Him- all because of breath.
Our breath is a constant reminder that God is keeping us alive. Yet, breathing is subconscious. We don't even recognize we're doing it until we can't breathe. We take breathing for granted until it's no longer easy.
That's one main reason I hate being sick! I hate when my nose gets stuffy in both nostrils and I have to breathe through my mouth. It's the worst feeling. Not being able to breathe is more than a nuisance, it's outright dangerous.
Yet, we hold our breaths all the time for things that our energy doesn't require. I was holding my breath for someone whose name I don't even remember. Over a situation I can't recall.
Breathing is so important to our emotional wellbeing! By not breathing, I was acting as if the situation was worse than what it was.
When you are going through a difficult moment, I want you to pause and take a breath. Remember that God is allowing you to breathe. Thank Him for your lungs. Then I want you to reflect on what's causing you to hold your breath? Is it something within your control or is it just intense?
You can't control other people and their reactions no matter how much you try. So why are you letting them control you? God created you for more than bending to the demands of silly humans. Respect them but don't give them more power than what God has ordained.
And take a deep breath. Your spirit will thank you.
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