Stop.
Just stop where you are a take a deep breath.
In through your nose and out through your mouth.
Seriously.
When was the last time you took a moment to just breathe?
Life 2020 Style
2020 has been, at best, completely wonky.
Back in March there was a meme circulating the internet that said:
Anyone else feel like life is being written like a 4th grader right now? “There was a virus and everyone was scared. And then the world ran out of toilet paper. Yeah, and then there was no school for like a month. And then it snowed!!
We laughed.
But then that month of no school turned into distance learning, and this introverted mother of four never fully recovered.
I get to register my teenagers for school this week. I haven’t been this excited about school registration since the twins started pre-school and I had that first hour alone for the first time in five years.
The mom-guilt in me is a little scared to post that on the internet, but the candid Jesus girl wants to make sure any other introverted moms out there know they aren’t alone. It’s okay to need time to regroup.
My oldest is a senior this year. He turns 18 this month. So part of my momma heart is crying and the other part breathing a sigh of relief. Because, moms, we can do both.
Just Breathe
When I saw my neurologist last month, she made it a point to tell me I need to take more time for me time. Not time to be selfish, but time for self-care.
Somewhere over the past few months, my time with Jesus has gotten lost. I’ve gotten behind in my Bible reading. I stopped talking to my friends.
I could list out a million reasons excuses for why that happened. They would sound good. They were good enough excuses that I convinced myself there was nothing I could do. But it wasn’t true. Yes, they were valid, but that didn’t mean I needed to let them control me.
A dear friend text me last month to check in. It’s a friend I am supposed to be praying for and hadn’t been. I dropped the ball, so she picked it up. Anyway, she asked how I was and I let my sob-story for the week pour out. And it had been a rough week, no one would argue with that, but her response stopped me in my tracks.
She suggested I try breathing.
I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry.
Breathing hadn’t even occurred to me, and I definitely needed to calm down and take a deep breath.
2020 has been a bit wonky – to say the least – when was the last time you took a moment to just breathe? Click To TweetCan You Relate?
Have you ever found yourself there?
Overloaded, stressed out, and just trying to stay afloat?
My friend’s words helped me realize that I seriously needed to take a step back, unplug for a bit, and just breathe.
And I feel so much better.
When I first unplugged at the end of July, I was such a wreck it felt like my nerves were on fire. I was constantly on edge; couldn’t focus. I had no desire to do anything. Everyone was worried about me. I was worried about me.
Life on the Other Side
While I didn’t know what to pray, and couldn’t have focused long enough to do so if I wanted to, I said lot’s of short prayers: “God, help me get through this.”
And He did.
It didn’t happen all at once, but the slow process of healing began. Breath by breath.
I listened to praise and worship music.
I read Psalm 69 aloud.
And my heart started to feel lighter. I felt like I could breathe again.
Sometimes I think we take breathing for granted. It’s something we do without thinking, but it’s an essential part of life.
As I recover, I wanted to share three Psalms with you. I’ve found when I need to breathe and don’t have the words to pray, sometimes praying Scripture is the best thing I can do. So, here’s three Psalms I’ve landed on that express my heart when I’m feeling stressed. Hopefully, they’ll help you, too.
Related Post: When God Answers with an Oxygen Mask
3 Psalms To Pray When You Just Need to Breathe
1.) Psalm 61
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
Psalm 61:1-3
2.) Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
Psalm 130:1-6
O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope…
3.) Psalm 69
Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.
…At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters.
Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me.Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. Draw near to my soul, redeem me…
Psalm 69:1-3, 13-18
Join the Conversation
How have you been coping with life 2020 style? Are you taking time out to just breathe? What helps you relax and regroup when you get stressed? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!
3 Psalms to pray when you just need to breathe… Click To TweetRelated Resource For Christian Women
If you are tired, stressed out, or overwhelmed, Candid Gal, Laura J. Marshall invites you on her journey to enter into the rest that refreshes and find freedom from weariness. This is A Mom’s Battle Cry for Rest.
This has been a wonky year. On top of the coronavirus and everything else, my mother who lives with us has become more dependent on my help and someone needs to be with her 24/7. We do need to slow down and breathe during seasons like this, don’t we! I love how you brought us back to God and His Word. It’s spiritual breathing when we take time to connect with Him and it can be so refreshing. Maybe that’s not even the right way to say it. It’s life-saving!
Amen! It’s odd how easy it is to forget something as essential as breathing. Praying you get some much needed time to breathe during this chaotic and “different” year.
Terrific post, Heather. I mostly certainly need to stop and breathe. I realized just this week that I struggle to relax. I’m tense even in my sleep, grinding my teeth all night long. I don’t have kids to keep me busy, but I’ve been overloaded with work–most of which have deadlines. I have often turned to Psalm 42:5 NKJV to encourage myself: Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.
That’s another go-to passage for me as well. Everyone has their own stressors. We all have different challenges in life that apply pressure. But God is always good.
Beautiful site!
What a week! I needed this reminder to BREATHE. Thank you for writing it! God bless you bunches!
Thanks, Pam! I think I need to put a sticky note remind er on my desk that says, “Just Breathe,” because I need that reminder time and again.
Relatable. Stress-fighter, to breathe in the Holy Spirit. That’s what we always need to do. Self-care is always a part of me. It’s because, taking care of others starts with us. Just by reflecting about the love of God and apply it, makes a huge difference and change. Thanks Heather for reminding us all to breathe in.
So true, Susan. Thanks for stopping in.
I unplugged myself for a month and it was sooo good. Welcome back😊
It can be so refreshing, can’t it?!