{"id":15679,"date":"2026-11-01T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/?p=15679"},"modified":"2026-09-28T05:56:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T10:56:52","slug":"breathing-in-grace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/2026\/11\/01\/breathing-in-grace\/","title":{"rendered":"Breathing in Grace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two-minute read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of my favorite breathing techniques for calming the mind and soul starts with a deep inhale. I count to four slowly as I inhale, then pause for two. Slowly, I exhale to the count of six. Doing several deep breaths in a row, I focus my thoughts on the Savior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I breathe in, I imagine inhaling the Lord\u2019s grace and goodness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I exhale, I visualize letting go of the negative and unproductive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the pastor\u2019s message on Sunday, he used an analogy I had never heard before to describe grace: God\u2019s Riches at Christ\u2019s Expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We receive grace because of Jesus. Each morning, we get fresh mercies from the Savior that allow us to start anew. The Lord only gives us enough grace for the day ahead. We don\u2019t face today with leftovers, but with fresh evidence of His compassion and another opportunity to trust Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Jeremiah wrote these words, Christ hadn\u2019t come to earth. The nation experienced deep national grief and devastation following the destruction of Jerusalem. But in the middle of that grief, he pauses and remembers something unchanging: God\u2019s character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the start of creation, the Lord\u2019s redemptive plan unfolded. He gave the Israelites fresh mercies every morning. As the Old Testament unfolds, God points to our need for a Savior, and at the appointed time, Jesus came to earth and fulfilled His mission. Simple faith in Him gives us access to the Lord\u2019s grace, and each morning, He gives us new mercies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my latest episode of repentance, I confessed my misdeed to the Lord. \u201cWhy do I do these things I don\u2019t want to do?\u201d I wrote in my journal. Ron reminded me that Paul had written the same words in Romans, confessing that he did what he didn\u2019t want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But through Jesus, I received forgiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As did Paul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As do you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every morning, when we awake, through Christ, we have access to God\u2019s faithful grace and mercy. We can lay our sins at the foot of the cross and try to do better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breathe in God\u2019s mercies. Breathe out the negative. Let the Lord\u2019s cleansing breath remind you of His grace and mercy that arrive fresh each morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journal Questions:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n