Day 21 Devotional

What do people often say to you when you’re super-stressed?

“Just breathe!”

It sounds so silly because you already are breathing. The perception, of course, is that you’re not paying close attention to how you are breathing. I’d venture to say that 95% of your day, you don’t sit and think about diaphragmatic breathing because you’re too busy, too scattered, too frantic, maybe even too tired. But taking the time to be mindful of your breathing and grateful to be living in the moment can transform your attitude. Think of it as an “attitude of gratitude” as you settle into a restful routine. This is the perfect time to carve out alone time with God. Don’t get me wrong; He’s always listening to you—even when you’re a harried mess. It’s just that when you’re in a stressed state of mind, you’re likely not as focused on Him as you should be.

We fool ourselves into thinking that we have a million responsibilities and that we must carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, but the truth of the matter is that we just need to inhale, exhale and live.

Not only can deep breathing reduce muscle tension and curtail insomnia, but it also increases focus and boosts your mood. On top of all of that, it can take you to that Zen spot where you’ll feel more connected to God. So–today–remember to breathe.