Life can be overwhelming at times, leaving us feeling like we are suffocating under the weight of our brokenness. Broken homes, shattered marriages, loss of jobs, and the stinging pain of failure make it seem as if hope has abandoned our lives. Yet, in the midst of our darkest moments, we are reminded that there is a God who whispers, “Breathe again.”
In the book of Job, we find a man who was acquainted with suffering just like Christ Jesus, our Greatest Model of all time. He experienced the loss of his children, his wealth, and even his health. In the midst of his pain, Job uttered these words: “There is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again and that its shoots will not cease. Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump dies in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant.” (Job 14:7-9)
Our lives may have been cut down to the ground even by trusted friends, leaving us feeling broken and defeated. But God, in His mercy, can bring forth new shoots, new beginnings, and new blessings, even when it seems impossible.
Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” In the midst of our brokenness, God promises His presence and His strength. He will not leave us alone to wallow in despair, but will instead uplift us and lend us His divine aid.
When it comes to broken homes and marriages, it may feel as if all hope is lost. But let us be reminded of the words of Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We may experience brokenness in our relationships, but God’s plans for us remain intact. He longs to restore what has been broken, to heal what has been wounded, and to bring back hope where it seemed impossible.
Even if you have strayed away from the faith and wandered far from the path of righteousness, there is hope! God is ready to embrace you as long as you return to Him (Matt 11:28). Most times God allows His children to go through hard situations but do not forget, “The breaking of a man is the making of a Man of God.” Such broken moments are the times that God can reach us most profoundly. He longs to breathe life into our weary souls, to revive our spirits, and to bring us back into an intimate relationship with Him. He has given us His Spirit as a down-payment for the glorious inheritance we have in Him. He will strengthen us by his Spirit in our inner being. (Eph 1:13-14, 3:16)
Failure is not the end of our story; it is merely a stepping stone to our success. In our lowest moments, when we feel as if we have hit rock bottom, God is there to lift us up and set us on a new path. He turns our failures into opportunities for growth, wisdom, and renewed determination. With God, there is always a chance to rise again, to see our dreams come to fruition, and to find success in ways we never imagined.
So, dear friend, feeling hopeless, broken, defeated or confused, take a deep breath and remember that God is still working in your life; withdraw to a solitary place and inquire from God as to the way forward. Though it may feel like you are suffocating, trust that He offers fresh air for your weary soul. Embrace His promises, cling to His love, and allow Him to breathe new life into your circumstances just like he breathed into the created man until he became a living being Genesis 2:7. There is hope for the hopeless because our God specializes in bringing beauty from ashes.
Breathe again, for the best is yet to come!
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Michael Okuneye is a certified Facilitator with Lead like Jesus and also the African Representative. Experienced with missions and leadership matters since 1993. He is the Executive Director of Livingword Global leadership Mission; served as a missionary in Niger, Chad and in Nigeria where he resides, training Church Planters and Community Champions to build stronger and transformational churches in Africa. Having raised and trained many leaders in several nations, it has given him the voice in Leadership matters in Nigeria. He served as the Assistant to the National director of Bible league in Chad, later rose to National Head of Operations of Bible League Nigeria before proceeding to advance the course of Leadership and Mission. He is currently the Coordinator of the Teens Church in his local assembly where he raises leaders. As a great motivator, he has encouraged many, coupled with his unique approach to coaching and mentoring lives in diverse fields of specialization, more than 10,000 lives have been affected by his leadership. He is also championing the cause of community development in rural areas for positive changes. He is married to Titilope his best friend and they are blessed with five boys.
The way you capture the essence of finding strength in challenging times and the metaphorical significance of taking a breath is both touching and empowering. Thank you for sharing such heartfelt reflections; your words serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is the possibility to breathe again and embrace a new beginning.