Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Exhale (08/15/13)
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TITLE: BREATHE | Previous Challenge Entry
By Janet Kelly
08/22/13 -
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Waiting for that phone call from the doctor's office with your test results. It could be serious. You hold your breath!
The bill collectors are threatening to repossess your car and your house if you cannot catch up on your payments. You hold your breath!
You go to the mailbox to find a letter from the IRS. Slowly you open it. You definitely hold your breath!
We tend to hold our breath when trouble comes into our lives. We need to learn to exhale, take a deep breath and simply trust God.
Psalms 23:2-3 says, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul...” (NKJV). He make us to lie down so we can have much needed rest. When we face the troubles of life we often become weary. We need a time to refresh. We get this refreshment when He restores our soul. He talks about leading us beside the still waters. In order for the sheep to drink they must have calm waters. We too need to be calmed in times of adversity.
In Matthew 11:28-29 we find that if we will come to the Lord, He will give us rest. “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.” (NKJV)
Isn't that what we long for? Don't we want rest for our souls? Life is hard sometimes and while fighting in the battles of life we can grow weary. Why do we try to fight alone when we have a God who wants to give us strength?
We have a heavenly Father who knows what we are going through. He understands! According to Hebrews 4:15-16, “We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (NKJV) Just trust Him. He knows how weary and worn we are!
In 1 Peter 5:7 we are encouraged to cast our cares on Him. He know what lies around the bend. He has already gone before us in preparing our way. He inhabits our tomorrows.
We trust Him to save our souls from Hell, so why can we not trust Him when life is difficult?
Let's try this exercise of faith; take a deep breath, exhale, and TRUST GOD!
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The one thing you might want to consider is to share a personal story and avoid the universal you. I think that pulls the reader in more. Also make sure you have complete sentence. For example you could do something like this for your opening line:
My heart pounded as I waited for test results from the doctor's office. When the phone finally rang, I jumped and realized I had been holding my breath.
That may not be perfect, but many readers would nod their heads knowing what that feels like.I feel more of a connection to the author when she shares a part of her life.
You did have a nice lead in to your message either way though. Your message itself is a good one and is similar to my message this week. We need to inhale deeply and bring God into our lives more often.
Congratulations for ranking 9th in your level! (The highest rankings can be found on the message boards.)