Inhale (Exhale): Breathing in Grace and Living Out Hopeናሙና

“While they worked to rescue her, we all held our breath.”

“Well, if you think that’s going to happen, don’t hold your breath!”

“As the relationship became more toxic, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.”

“It’s okay, you got this. Just take a deep breath.”

“The power of the music was so majestic, it took my breath away.”

We use the concept of inhale (exhale) as both positive and negative connotations in our everyday life and language. But have you ever thought about the very first breath? The details of that moment are well documented.

Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. (Genesis 2:7)

In the book of Psalms, David connects inhale (exhale) to:   

• Creation: The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. (33:6)   
• Personal worship: I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. I live and breathe God. (34:1-2 MSG)   
• Worship from all creation: Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! (Psalm 150:6)

One of the most powerful and impacting connections to inhale (exhale) in Scripture is witnessed at the crucifixion.

By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. (Luke 23:44-46)

From Genesis to Revelation, God’s gift of life is made clear with Him as the Source of our being. While we inhale (exhale) 24/7, rarely do we stop to focus on the actual respiration process that keeps us alive. Yet when we become stressed, afraid, or threatened, then suddenly, intentional breathing—the literal breath of life—is thrust to the forefront of our minds. In those moments, we need to remind ourselves that Jesus said everything would, in the end, be okay, as He said so well in today’s opening verse.

How can Jesus’ promise in John 16:33 help you to “just breathe” today as you deal with the everyday stresses of life?