“Mail’s here early today!” called Lorna, as she entered the kitchen.
Oh, that was good news. Living far from home in Quito, Ecuador made letters a very precious commodity.
“Terrific!” I responded, and dashed upstairs to get my keys.
Lorna and her husband, Elbert, served as missionaries with HCJB. I was a short-termer, living with them for the four months of my assignment as a preschool and kindergarten teacher.
The compound was only a brief walk from the house. Once there, it was just a matter of unlocking the gate, heading down the main walkway a short distance, up a few steps, and into the post office alcove where all of our mailboxes were located.
I jogged the whole way there and back, excited to read my mail. But no sooner did I return home than my head started to pound, nausea engulfed me, and all I wanted to do was lie down. Never mind those coveted letters!
My problem was not a sudden onset of the flu, but mild hypoxia–oxygen deprivation. Quito is located 10,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains.
My experience proves, as well as those of countless others: we humans require oxygen—lots of it.
Even folks who live near sea level can suffer from lack of oxygen, because they’ve become accustomed to shallow breathing. Their bodies never receive enough oxygenated air, causing them to feel short of breath and anxious.
On the other hand, research has proven that deep breathing helps us manage stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and even spark brain growth. By not taking slow, deep breaths now and again, we deprive ourselves of these benefits.
M-m-m. Reminds me of Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, where King Solomon lamented the results of shallow living: chasing after wealth, accomplishments, and pleasure. In the end, nothing gave him lasting satisfaction and fulfillment.
Shallow living brings on symptoms in the spirit, similar to oxygen deprivation in the mind and body: heartache, fatigue with life, nausea from repetitive, meaningless activity, and shortness of temper.
In contrast to Solomon’s lament in Ecclesiastes is Paul’s praise to God for the power and strength of deep living:
“Oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength” (Ephesians 1:19, The Message)!
Deep living happens when we breathe in God’s strength with a prayer, his wisdom and encouragement with a scripture, his joy with a song.
Deep living happens when we practice his presence as automatically as we breathe.
And how do we do that, “practice his presence?”
It’s just a matter of pausing frequently throughout each day, to turn our attention to God.
I might say such things as:
- Thank You, Lord, for this new day. Work through me to accomplish your purpose.
- I love you, Heavenly Father. Thank you for filling my heart with peace and joy every time I turn my attention to you.
- Thank you for your power at work in me as I complete this task.
- The wonders of your creation–graceful tree branches dancing in the breeze, lyrical songs of the mockingbirds, delicious aromas of pine and orange blossoms–They make my heart sing with praise!
- Oh, Lord, I shouldn’t have spoken to Mary like that. Forgive me, I pray. Help me to think before I speak. And yes, I will apologize to her.
Refreshing. Energizing. Purifying. Like a deep breath of oxygen.
Shallow breathing causes a lesser quality of life. So does shallow living.
Deep breathing fosters strength of mind and body. Deep living does that and more.
Deep living radically transforms the spirit.
Let’s breathe/live deep!
* * * * * * * * * *
What deep living habits help you practice the presence of God?
(photo credits: www.wikipedia.com , http://www.picstopin.com , http://www.vineyardcs.org )
From the Inside Out 
what a wonderful analogy! Thank you so much for reminding us of God’s constant and loving presence in our lives … ALWAYS being there for those who find themselves in Christ! Thank you, Nancy!
You are most welcome, Heidi. I need the reminders myself! Writing helps to establish such truths deeper into my mind and spirit. Do you find that’s true for you, too?
for sure! … writing makes me think so much more … turning these thoughts over in my mind is definitely cementing them in … your devotional style and wonderful word-pictures are so very helpful! I so relate with the way you write! 🙂 Thanks for sharing from your heart … love coming here, Nancy!
Thank you, Heidi! I feel the same about you and your thought-provoking, uplifting blog! God bless you, friend!
Great analogy, Nancy. I also appreciate your practical ideas for how to practice deep living. All too often I forget to be intentional in my daily walk so I find this message quite helpful. Thank you!
I’m right with you Rebeca. But each day as I practice God’s presence, the habit is growing. Praise God, he doesn’t give up on us if we don’t achieve instantaneous perfection. He will continue to work in us, maturing us to a flourishing finish (Phil. 1:6, The Message)!
Oh, Nancy, this was perfect–such a great correlation between our physical bodies and our spiritual lives. Take time to slow down and breathe………I inhaled while I was reading and typing (exhaled, of course). I appreciate your words.
Thank you, Jody, for taking time out of your busy schedule to comment. And thank you for the wafts of fresh air for my spirit through YOUR blog!
This story reminds me about the time I was having my eyes checked after laser surgery. The technician took my blood pressure and it was high. I never had a problem with my blood pressure. He told me to take a deep breath and breath out much longer than I breathed in. I did as he told me and he retook my blood pressure and it was back to normal. It has made me conscience of my breathing. God has given us a breath of life and I thank Him for it. His breath breaths into me a comfort. Thanks again for your blog. God bless you.
Thank you for the personal story, Laura, illustrating the power of breathing deep. I like your comment about breathing in God’s comfort. Indeed, as we breathe oxygen into our lungs, we can whisper a prayer, “Come, Holy Comforter. Fill me anew with your strength!”
I have found as I lie in bed at night that if I take deep breaths in and out. .I fall asleep more easily and more quickly. As I do my deep breathing the cares and worries of the day are driven away, my mind calms down as my body receives the ‘fresh air of His Spirit’, and before I know it I am slumbering in God’s safe arms. This blog enabled me to revisit the anaIogy of the physical and spiritual benefits of deep breathing and deep living, respectively. Thank you so much, Nancy.
Great advice, Cheri. I’ll have to try deep breathing at bedtime. I’m thinking…breathe in God’s presence, his loving care; breathe out gratitude for the blessings of the day!
I love your insight about breathe deep / from the inside out. That is right as you said ” great benefit”. Thank you for Holy Spirit pour out His breathe in you. In Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.”
Thank you, Linda, for taking time to comment. Indeed, praise God for his Holy Spirit who breathes life, hope, strength, and more into our spirits!