When Life Leaves You Gasping for Air

LIFE. What a wonderfully complex, frustrating and rewarding experience.

There is no doubt LIFE continues to become more complex with divorce, poor economy, decrease in job security, decrease in family values, etc. The list can go on for pages. Somewhere in the midst of all this we can find ourselves experiencing one or more of these complexities. At times, these may cause extreme levels of frustration as we try to juggle everything life can throw our way. But the joy, the wonderful joy we feel when we take one of these head on, conquer the task and put it behind us. Such an event can carry us for days and it is during this time, when we are flying high above it all that it is very easy to accept and take to heart the truths of God’s scripture. 

But what happens if such an event only carries us for a day or an hour? What if you never experience such an event? What if the pressures of life are so overwhelming that you feel like you can barely breathe? What if God’s truths seem like nothing more than words in a book? What if you have given your life to Christ yet you find yourself without hope? What then?

I wish I could provide you with a simple step-by-step process to turn the tables and put you back on top. But the truth is I can’t. Life is going to deal us hard times, even as a Christian. And for many of us, the pressure can often leave us gasping for air. I know, because I was there many years ago. 

Although I do not have a simple process, I do know some simple truths that made all the difference in the world. The first is accepting the truth that there is a way out and there is hope, even in the darkest pit. But you are going to have to fight for it with everything you have. 

I have intentionally not included details of my own experience except to let you know I was at a point where the pressure was overwhelming. Please understand, that level of pressure comes at different points for all of us. In other words, if it is real to you, it’s real regardless of how it reads against someone else’s measuring stick. I can also promise you, if it is real to you, it is real to God and nothing is too small for Him. I once heard a pastor explain, “it’s ALL small to God”.

A favorite scripture of mine assures us that no matter how deep we get, no matter how dark it is, once you become a child of God nothing can separate you from His love: 

Romans 8:38-39, For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

It has been said many times that real love, unconditional love is based on a choice not a feeling. God has chosen to love us and it is because of that choice that we can never be separated from it. You are where you are because God loves you. Therefore, you must be there so His love can be shown to you and through you.  

When the pressures of LIFE have you gasping for air, please know that God is with you and He has a way out for you and that way will draw you closer to Him. When you feel as though you can not breathe, look to the One that provides the breath of life and whose words alone can give you strength:

Genesis 2:7, the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. 

Daniel 10:17-19, How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.” Again, the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. “Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.” 

John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

If you are feeling like life has pulled the life out of you, turn your eyes and heart back to Christ and he will give you rest, see Psalm 23 for a blessed assurance of his desire to carry you through. Then turn to John chapter 3 verses 16-18.