A Few Deep Breaths

What would help, is if you calmed down, take a few deep breaths and stop.

Rushing ahead, quick to react and then open your mouth and say something aggressive and before you know it, the words are gone, the impact is made and we know there’s no going back after that. Why cause the hurt and the pain, when you can just take a few deep breaths.

With each deep breath consider again the bigger picture. Remember who you are and whose you are. Remember what’s more important, your being offended now or your desire to understand and truly discover what makes for peace? Remember what’s at stake. Remember how you live and how you respond, not by the immediate kick of outrage, but something else within.

You don’t have to react. This is a distraction. Just take a glimpse beyond the surface of how things appear. You know it’s not just a ‘personal’ thing. There is more to it than that.

Look what is on offer. No wonder efforts are made to get you off track. That is a glorious prize worth the hope. That is a magnificent prize worth your moments of reflection before responding.

With those deep breaths it is not to dismiss or negate the pain. That is real. Where will the healing come for the pain – perpetuating more of it? You know better. Acknowledge the pain and look for the Healer. Acknowledge the pain and ask for the healing. Acknowledge the pain and the desire to retaliate and leave them with the one who took on incredible and considerable pain and can give you the strength to endure.

With those deep breaths confess once more your acceptance of dependance. Say again that you will never make it in your own strength, your own pride and your own will. Confess once more that you have made it by grace, by mercy, by love and kindness shown to you, shown for you, shown through you for a cause far greater than you. Confess one more time that depending on these will never fail you and trusting in these will always keep you.

There is no hurry. They really cannot rush you. You can assertively progress through your weakness because your strength is in someone far greater. Remind yourself as you take those deep breaths …

And then continue …

(Photo by Valeriia Bugaiova on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden