Time to Hit the PAUSE Button

Take a deep breath. Inhale… hold it… slowly exhale.

Let’s do that again. Take a deep breath… inhale… hold it… slowly exhale.

How are you feeling? Let it go. Release.

Though we’re not quite halfway through the year, this may be a good time to PAUSE.

What a start it’s been to this new year—crisis, chaos, disruption, war, hate, injustice, oppression, and more.

Are you feeling like you’ve been beaten up mentally, physically, and emotionally?

You have!

Know this: you are more than a conqueror, and you got this.

Psalm 46:10 encourages us: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

It’s a lot going on—but honestly, there’s always a lot going on.

Time is moving swiftly, and the priorities never seem to end.

But they do.

Time for a PAUSE

Remember: if you are not well and don’t take care of yourself, everything and everyone in your life suffers too.

This is not about being selfish—it’s about being your best self.

It’s about taking the time to do the deep—and sometimes uncomfortable—spiritual work.

When was the last time you made time for yourself and did something you love, but haven’t done in a while?

Is it going to your favorite hidden spot, reading a book, going to the movies solo, taking a long walk, vacationing alone, being out in nature?

You know where I’m going with this.

You must recharge, replenish, refresh, and renew.

You can only do that for yourself.

It’s like pulling into a gas station when your tank is on empty.

As in Job 37:14–20, “Pause a moment, and listen.”

As the saying goes, man (or woman) cannot live by bread alone.

There is power in the pause.

It allows us to practice patience, adjust our attitude, gain understanding, step outside ourselves, and become calmer.

What happens when you pause and ponder—and let your mind be free?

Johnny Nash tells us in song:

“I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.

I can see all obstacles in my way.

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.

It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)…”

Hit the pause button in your life.

PAUSE. PAUSE. PAUSE.

Love you.