This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! Ezekiel 37:5 NLT

Just Breathe!

This is exactly what I’ve been doing the past two months while we revive the Soaking up The Son website.

Up until mid January, I was able to post journal entries before the site began having a few hiccups. Then there were a few hours in February that the site came back up. One more journal entry was uploaded before it crashed again.

During these months, I would contemplate if the delay in the website was from God or Satan.

Just Breathe!

You see, I had just published my first children’s book at the end of December, so my marketing mode was activated. There was much excitement for sharing the book online, book signings and engagements, selling t-shirts that coincided with Proverbs 23:19 (the focus bible verse for The Right Road), etc.. My initial thoughts, after a couple of weeks into the website mishap, was that God was keeping me humble and making sure that I did not make this whole thing about me. Then, after praying and feeling secure in the fact that I totally want to give God all the glory and share His love with others, another thought crossed my mind…was the delay a hindrance from Satan? You know that sneaky one doesn’t want the Good News shared, and that’s what I desired to do through the book.

More thoughts would fill my mind:

• Is God testing me?
• What is He wanting me to do in the waiting?
• Is this the devil’s work?
• Am I supposed to be writing another book in the meantime?
• What. Is. Happening???

All I could do was have faith in my sweet computer friend, Karen, and give it all to God through prayer and continued commitment to Him.

Just Breathe!

Here we are, two months later, soaking up God’s favor.

The words “just breathe” were on a shirt that my dear friend, Julie, gave me just yesterday. Since then, the website is now up and running, and three heavy prayer requests were shared with me which was a reminder to JUST BREATHE through it all. While I was praying for these requests, the song ”In Jesus Name” by Katy Nichole came on. How appropriate!

My website issue is in no way a life or death situation like some of the prayer requests presented. Yet, I truly believe that in any situation in life, when we slowly and deeply inhale and exhale, and fix our eyes on Jesus, He will calm our fears, thoughts, and give us peace.

Do you need to JUST BREATHE today over something?

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. Psalm 62:1,5-7 NLT

My soul, praise the Lord! Every part of me, praise his holy name! My soul, praise the Lord and never forget how kind he is! He forgives all our sins and heals all our sicknesses. He saves us from the grave, and he gives us love and compassion. He gives us plenty of good things. He makes us young again, like an eagle that grows new feathers. The Lord does what is fair. He brings justice to all who have been hurt by others. He taught his laws to Moses. He let Israel see the powerful things he can do. The Lord is kind and merciful. He is patient and full of love. He does not always criticize. He does not stay angry with us forever. We sinned against him, but he didn’t give us the punishment we deserved. His love for his followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth. And he has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is as kind to his followers as a father is to his children. He knows all about us. He knows we are made from dust. He knows our lives are short, that they are like grass. He knows we are like a little wildflower that grows so quickly, but when the hot wind blows, it dies. Soon, you cannot even see where the flower was. But the Lord has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever! He will be good to all their descendants, to those who are faithful to his agreement and who remember to obey his commands. The Lord set his throne up in heaven, and he rules over everything. Angels, praise the Lord! You angels are the powerful soldiers who obey his commands. You listen to him and obey his commands. Praise the Lord, all his armies. You are his servants, and you do what he wants. Everything the Lord has made should praise him throughout the world that he rules! My soul, praise the Lord! Psalm 103:1-22 – ERV

Blessings to you and yours,

Stephanie