When I take an ice bath, I think of nothing but breathing. At first, it’s a real struggle to get air in and out of your lungs when your muscles are contracting spasmodically from head to toe. It takes serious focus. Just be still.... and breath.
Last night when the anxiety came rolling in and continued to gain momentum my initial thought was, I'm never going to sleep tonight. Then something, somewhere inside of me said.... just breath.
I took a slow deliberate breath in, then a slow deliberate exhale out. One. Then another. Two. Then another. Three.
I focused only on feeling, and hearing, the sound the air made in the pitch black silence as it entered and left my body. Four.
I've never done that before, but I told myself, I'll focus on breathing and count my breathes until the sun comes up if that's what it takes. The enemy doesn’t get to just walk in my room and antagonize me. Five.
I remember passing 12, I never even made it to 15. Then this morning….
I sit down to read a devotional and the verse at the top of the page is Psalm 46:10.... "Be still, and know that I am God".
And then there was the devotional....
That was written by a man that references his restless mind, and a story inspired by watching his sound asleep dog beside him breath, methodically and peacefully, in and out, until he eventually finds a mental, and spiritual Peace in the process himself.
I can't make this stuff up.
Get In The Boat. Do Your Part.
Be Still, Just Breathe.... From Nose To Toes!
Shane / #16
