By Pastor Shana Wise
Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.
COVID-19 and other life events in 2020 have had us feeling sometimes like we could not breathe. Ironically the virus itself affects the lungs and it makes it hard for people to breathe. Some people have to be placed on a ventilator to breathe and others have died.
One event that happened in 2020 that was very alarming and painful in the USA was the George Floyd incident. He was a black man who lost his life at the hands of the police, specifically by an officer placing his knee on his neck to the point that his airway was cut off. Some of the last words that George Floyd said was, “I can’t breathe”. That statement, I can’t breathe”, became popular worldwide in resistance and response to police brutality against people of color.
Repeated incidences like the George Floyd case being broadcast on the media constantly fueled a lot of racial tensions in America. Blacks were afraid and outraged and others outside of the race felt the pain and hurt as well. However, because of the tension and high emotions, many conversations between black and white people did not take place because it made people feel uncomfortable or they did not want to offend anyone by their reactions.
I have to admit every time I saw the news and racial injustices happening over and over again, it made me feel like I couldn’t breathe. Yet I know that the feelings of being overwhelmed, frustrated, and outraged, does not affect just black people, it affects everyone.
This year we as a people experienced the side effects of the COVID-19. Joblessness, increased family dysfunction, the death of loved ones, and wondering about the future were some things that we had to deal with this year. To top it off, the politics of the nation caused even more division and ugliness amongst the people. There is nothing wrong with supporting a political party, but we must remember that everything is temporary, and our home is the Kingdom of God. Yet, I saw friends and family relationships severed because of politics--what a shame. The very thing that God created us to do is to fellowship with one another, and this year that very principle came under attack. I even saw preachers coming up against each other because one chose to keep their church open while another chose to stay home. How sad it is for the world to see the body arguing amongst themselves.
All of these instances I just listed had us feeling like we could not breathe!
The good news is that despite all these things that we have experienced this year, God has not changed. His word stands and for that, I give Him praise.
The Holy Spirit reminded me that We Can Breathe. According to Genesis 2:7, God breathes breath into our bodies, and that means that breath belongs to Him. Some people this year took their last breath on this side of eternity (land of the living, earth) and took their first breath on the other side of eternity (heaven). Since breath comes from God, it does not have an expiration date. Breath is spiritual. We must remember what the Garden of Eden represents, it was in a heavenly place, where no sin abounded. It was in this place where God brought forth life. The God we worship is the God of life, and because of this fact, we do not have to worry about the current of future events that will take place because we are secure in His love. His love will make us feel like we can breathe and face any obstacle that we may face.
Whenever we get overwhelmed and feel like we can’t breathe, we must stop, pause, and take a deep breath. We need to shift our thinking from the temporary circumstances to eternal gain. Jesus overcame the world, and because we are in him, so shall we.
Stay encouraged saints and breathe!
Watch Video From The Well CWN Holiday Event: Pastor Wise I Can Breathe
About the Author
Dr. Shana Wise is an ordained Pastor and CEO of Wise Choice Ministries (est. 2016). She is the founder of The Well Christian Women’s Network formally known as Christian Women Preachers United. Dr. Wise is the author of women’s devotional, Acts of Intercession, and The Impact of Your Election (available on Amazon). She received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2019 from St. Thomas Christian University. Her passion is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, equip others to apply the Word to their lives, and demonstrate the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a televangelist that appears on social media outlets and television. Shana is married to Ron Wise and is the mother of four children.
Books available on Amazon at:
Acts of Intercession
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1721143629/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BuKbFb8FMZHEB
The Impact of Your Election
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1792003307/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vvKbFbA33J669
LIKE Facebook page www.facebook.com/mrsshanawise
Follow on Instagram at www.instagram.com/wise1too
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