I once read that being pregnant requires the same amount of energy as scaling a mountain. The calorie output is about the same as a vigorous hike… all-day-long. I must be reaching “higher elevation” because it is getting harder to breathe. A hiker experiences the thinning of the air… at six months pregnant with twins, this pregnant mama experiences less room in my body for a proper breath.
It is a constant discomfort.
Similarly, God makes us “uncomfortable” in other areas of our lives:
- Changing our identity to look more like Christ.
- Calling us to share our faith
- Reminding our hearts that its not all about us
- Convicting us to repent of sin
- Encouraging our minds to stop vicious cycles of worldly thinking
Any of those sound familiar? If you aren’t experiencing “discomfort” in your walk with God, could it be that your relationship with Him is at a standstill? You might be on the right path, but if you aren’t going anywhere, how is your faith impacting you, encouraging others, or glorifying God? This is the question James asks of all of us:
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? James 2:14
Still, having an active, or a “hiking” faith, can be difficult. We start to reach new heights and find that it’s harder to breathe. Our perseverance wanes, and we become discouraged. I have let fear and anxiety get a foothold more times than I want to admit. But our Savior is faithful, and He stands ready for me to grab his hand.
When our breath is not enough (as it was never meant to be) we can remember that Jesus offers HIS breath to empower us to be like him! In John 20:21-22 quotes Jesus saying:
“As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” And when he had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “receive the Holy Spirit…”
I hope this encourages you when you feel “short of breath” in your walk with God this week. And don’t forget to enjoy the view from the new heights God is helping you reach in your walk with Him!