BREATH OF FRESH AIR

Reflection:
If we concentrate on perfecting the abilities he gave us and not trying to push ourselves to perfect the abilities he didn’t then some of us would be ok. No I didn’t say you can't try new things. Just perfect the ones you have. It takes a real man or women to admit when things need to change. It’s time to exhale. We take in the things that put pressure on us. The negative things that cause us so much harm. We take in all the hurts and pain of our past. The negative thought that someone doesn't care or appreciate. The pressure of life pushing us over the edge.

Sometimes stand back and look at what God gave you. Weigh the good against the bad. How does it look? Are their things you can exhale from? Are their things you need to release yourself from? After looking, are their things that don’t appear to be what you thought?

When I was given this topic my first thought was the movie “Waiting to Exhale” -- 4 women waiting with painful anticipation to enter into a real relationship of commitment and nurture where they could let their guard down and be valued. Ultimately building their esteem and self love to allow them to EXHALE!

To give you a definition from Merriam Webster:
Exhale – is to breathe out in a deliberate manner; blow out, breathe out
My definition would be: To release or be released from
Now I want everyone to do something. Take a deep breath with me. Breathe in breath out. Again…
Breathe in Exhale. How do you feel? Even though you were asked  to do this some of you will hesitate to do so. Or you just couldn’t. Like the air in your belly after you eat something you shouldn’t. It causes gases to fill your belly and it hurts. Until the gases are released there is no relief. Some of you can relate.

When you exhale you let out all of the air that’s contained in the lungs. With that exhale you also get rid of some germs. You get rid of the nasty nuisances that attack your immune system. And be careful not to inhale the germs of someone else.

We have all inhaled hurt, despair, anger, destruction, pain sickness and so on. Trying to breath normally only to inhale all our problems. We are walking helium balloons. The air seeps out but never enough. We hold onto things that wont allow us to grow or prosper.

Well today the wait is over. Its time to get a Breath of fresh Air! The word of God gives us a different word. Breath is defined as the Spirit.  Which is mentioned more than 800 times in the Scripture. It is very important to understand its meaning.  Two words – one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament. Hebrew word- Ruwach in the old testament means a violent exhalation, a blast of breath, a strong wind. Ref. Genesis 1:2  Greek word- Pneuma in the New testament conveys as a breath or wind, a current of air, a strong breeze. Comes along side to encourage and empower us with Gods presence. Gives life. Ref. John 6:63.  So every time you hear the word Spirit it means breath.

God is ready to breath fresh life into you today. Job 33:4 within Elihu’s prayer to Job reassured him that – the spirit of god has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Are you ready to release or be released from? Are you ready to stop waiting and just exhale? Are you ready? God formed us all and has breathed in us life. Genesis 2:7 – and the lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.  Are you ready for a renewed life. Psalms 51:10-Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me

Poem:
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
Inhaling the trials of life
Inhaling year after year
Trying to keep and hold back the tears
Trying to breath normally each and every day
Struggling and toiling all along the way
Floating by life feeling blocked and distressed
Getting little peace and not much rest
I’m Feeling like a balloon filled with lots of air
If stuck with a pin I would explode beyond compare
I’m not understanding what I am going through
Can someone please tell me what I have to do
I know I study and read my word most of the days
But I can’t quite get why I can’t make a way
To release the air that is deep down within
I am ready for change so I can win.
I am ready to exhale 
To be full of His Grace 
To open up my heart to run this race 
Breathe into my soul oh God
To relieve me from dispair
I’m ready to receive a Breath of Fresh Air !!!!