Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others. 1 Thess 4:11-12 (NLT)
Breathe in Grace
In the Message Bible, it says “Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job.”
There is something that people who don’t give into panic all have in common. When they are confronted with issues, gossip, bad news, decisions to make… they all do this one thing before they do anything else:
Breathe.
They take in a few deep breaths.
Deep breathing is scientifically and physiologically proven to help people stay calm in situations that would otherwise cause them to panic, shut down, and surrender to chaos.
“Make it your goal to live a quiet life…”
I don’t live a quiet soundless life. There’s a lot of noise in my home, and at times I can make a lot of noise myself (some of it good, a lot of it… well, not so good). I have a vivid imagination and sometimes I get caught up in panic and drama… my emotions run away on me and anxiety settles in. I’ve suffered panic attacks, given into chaos, surrendered reason to blind emotion… I’ve let “fight or flight” have its way with me.
The words “stay calm” hit me right between the eyes. It’s something I’m learning, through trial and error; allowing the peace of God that lives beyond the realm of understanding to have its way with my heart, to be its guard and umpire. The peace in the storm, my anchor in swirling seas, the foundation of my heart in a shaken and rocky world.
To breathe in his grace, and stay calm in his love.
A storm descended upon a boat full of disciples and a sleeping Messiah. The disciples panicked, “We will perish” they confessed, and woke their slumbering saviour in frustration and hope – frustrated that he slept through their terror, but desperately hopeful he would save them.
In his sleep, during the storm, Jesus breathed deeply, oxygen circulated his body and disengaged hormones of stress and fear. He breathed in and out the truth of who he was and the strength and power of his father. He rose from his rest, felt the hot breath of chaos blowing upon him, and as he breathed the words over the water and into the storm that rained down upon them, “Peace, be still…” the turbulent waters calmed, and the ferocious winds dissipated.
When faced with panic, fear, heartache; when chaos weaves its cold way up your spine, breathe in deeply. Breathe oxygen deep within your belly, suppressing fear and cutting off panic. Breathe his grace and peace deep within your spirit, releasing your faith and grounding your heart.
A still and quiet life is not the absence of noise, but the overcoming of panic, stress and fear. And overcoming is a journey, so don't be too hard on yourself but take the time to practice and learn.
May your life be filled with sounds of joy, peace and love no matter you’re facing.
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Thank you for this morning’s message. It came at just the right time. I have been swarmed by life’s problems for several years and have always been able to “control” everything (or so I thought). I have never had panic attacks until recently and realize that it is because I now realize I am not in control and have not relied on God’s grace to help me through these rough times. Your message for me is very timely and I thank you for it. I am now starting to realize that as I near the end of this life that I want more peace and want my loved ones to be able to witness a Godly calm in me regardless of the turmoil around me. I just want my life to glorify Him. Again, thank you for your message this morning. God bless you and your ministry.
Wow Carol, thank you for your comments, they touched me deeply. And I know how you feel. It’s almost this constant discipline, like brushing your teeth or eating green veggies, to keep check on our fears and worries around control and the future. I love your goal for your family and the years ahead of you. What a sacred space you’re entering. And what a beautiful legacy you are carving out for those you love. We are so thankful for you!! For reading, and for letting us know how it helped you. I hope your kind generosity comes back to you in amazing ways. Praying for you Carol. Thanks again. Lizzy.
This is great…coming from someone who has suffered with anxiety in the past, and at times I find myself getting caught up in those old anxious ways. It is amazing to take a moment and breathe in the peace of God. I am fully convinced that we can experience the peace that Jesus died for us to have at any moment, by simply casting our cares on Jesus and surrendering at the cross. The greatest exchange has already happened, we just need to remind ourselves of the victory! Thanks pocket-fuel for this thought provoking devotional.
THANKYOU JARRYD!! Your comments have blessed us heaps!! We are so humbled and thankful that our devotion resonated with you! AND, you are exactly right. It’s a daily meditative, prayerful practice to cast out cares on him and choose peace. With ya. Thanks again, love and light, Lizzy.
Great post! Panic and Anxiety appear to be tough subjects for many in the Christian community from laypeople to the clergy. Good advice! Thanks.
Yes, its a touchy subject hey. And I think for those of us who have experienced anxiety, and any form of mental illness, we want our communities of faith to understand that its not just an issue of praying more and having greater faith. It’s a sickness, like a disease that effects our physical bodies. I do believe that the collective church has come a long way on these issues, but we have a long to go… and we must keep walking. THANK YOU for your kind words, we’re humbled and blessed by them. Lizzy.
I have been suffering with various fluctuating moods and episodes for 7 years almost 8 this summer and this message really resonated with me. I’m still struggling at the moment, but breathing in and out has practically helped me despite the chaos. I stumbled across the pocket fuel email today and realised it must have been God who brought me to this piece of encouragement. Thank you for this post Lizzy – I’ve been reading your posts through Instagram and email updates. Please keep doing what you’re doing.
Your transparency and your creativity is so inspiring.
WOW Kimberley – Thank YOU for stopping by and telling us a tiny bit of your story.
Honestly, I can say that breathing is turning out to be on of the ways I practically combat anxiety the most. I’ll tell you a secret – I’ve been having panic attacks on off again for the last couple of months (for some unforeseen reason), and breathing is proving to be HUGE help in controlling them. I’ve started learning some meditation techniques and have been teaching them to kids at night. haha!!
Thanks again for encouraging us Kimberley, it means the world to us.
Take care, grace and peace,
Lizzy (and Jesse).