Wonder is as Close as Our Next Breath

Too often, people think of wonder as something that happens only during dramatic experiences, like worshiping in a cathedral or hiking on a mountain peak. But the truth is that we can find wonder anytime and anywhere. Our breathing reminds us of this powerful reality. Every time we inhale and exhale, we have an opportunity to take a break from the stress of this fallen world and reconnect with God’s constant presence with us. Wonder is as close as our next breath.

Our breathing is a God-given gift that not only sustains us physically, but also can bless us spiritually. The word “inspire” comes from the Latin word “inspirare” (which means “to breathe or blow into or upon”). Jesus tells us in John 3:8 that the Holy Spirit (who inspires us) is like a wind.

In the Bible, the Hebrew word for “spirit” is “ruach,” which also means “breath.” When we breathe, we’re engaging with the same “breath of life” that God used to create humanity (Genesis 2:7). Breathing is a bridge between the physical and the spiritual for us. By paying attention to our breathing, we can make room for the Holy Spirit to move in our lives.

Mindful Breathing

Stress from time pressures can creep up on us. We can use mindful breathing to manage that stress in ways that lead us to wonder. Mindful breathing is simply focusing our attention on our breath and noticing its natural flow. Practicing that with the intention of seeking inspiration from God welcomes wonder into our lives.

If we’re not intentional about breathing mindfully, stress can affect the way we breathe by causing us to breathe shallowly from our upper chests. This sends a signal to our nervous system that we’re in danger, even when we’re not and making us feel anxious. When we’re stuck in a cycle of breathing stressfully instead of mindfully, we can’t see the wonder right in front of us because were too busy scanning for the next problem that might pop up in our lives.

Mindful breathing breaks that cycle. It signals to our bodies that we’re safe, which allows our perspective to change from looking for what's wrong to discovering what’s wonderful in our lives. Mindful breathing can help us discover awe in the present moment. Incorporating mindfulness into our breathing can also relieve stress and help us concentrate – both of which strengthen our ability to notice wonder.

I once felt overwhelmed by time stress in the most ironic of places to feel that way: The Royal Observatory Greenwich. Clocks calculate the official time for all of Earth’s different time zones from that observatory in England. My family and I had visited on a whim, without planning enough time to see everything there. While rushing and multitasking, a grandfather clock’s loud chimes startled me, and I started hyperventilating. As I describe in my book Wake Up to Wonder, it was mindful breathing that helped. The wonder of the present moment opened fully around me, like a beautiful flower blooming, as peace settled in my soul. I thanked God through a breath prayer – a prayer brief enough to be expressed in the few seconds it takes to exhale.

Breath Prayers

Saying breath prayers can also help us trade our stress for God’s peace – and discover God’s wonder – anytime and anywhere. Breath prayers consist of simple phrases or sentences that we can pray in just one breath. We say the first part of a breath prayer while inhaling, and the last part while exhaling. Some examples: “Your peace please, God,” “What should I do, God?”, “God, I need to feel your love”, and “Dear God, please help me.”

Breath prayers are easy to pray in the middle of any stressful moment. By saying a breath prayer, we can quickly shift our focus away from stress and toward God – and discover wonder in the process.

Explore in my “How to Trade Stress for Peace through Breath Prayers” article.

Regularly Connect with God through Breathing

Wonder doesn’t have to be just an occasional experience. It’s as close as your next breath, which is a constant blessing from God in your life.

Explore more in my “How to Connect with God through Your Breathing” devotional.

By simply paying attention to your breath, you can connect with God whenever you like and wherever you are. Every breath is a constant, open line of communication with the Source of all wonder. So, take a deep breath as often as you can, and let your breathing remind you that you’re deeply and unconditionally loved by a God of wonder!

Learn more about experiencing God’s wonder in Wake Up to Wonder (order the paperback or the e-book) and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year (order the paperback or the e-book).