Have you ever felt like life is too much? Like the pressures, responsibilities, and chaos of the world are pulling you under? I’ve been there. I’ve felt the weight of burnout, exhaustion, and spiritual depletion. It was during one of those seasons that I began to understand what it means to “breathe underwater.”
Living with God in a world that often feels inhospitable to the soul is a lot like learning to scuba dive. The culture around us is flooded with fear, anxiety, anger, and striving—none of which bring life to the human soul. These waters can drown us if we don’t learn a different way to live.
Just like a diver depends on an oxygen tank to survive below the surface, we need to depend on God as our constant source of life. But here’s the challenge: breathing underwater isn’t instinctual—it’s something we have to learn.
Learning to Breathe
When I think about “breathing underwater,” I think about the spiritual practices that have become my lifeline. Practices like silent prayer, journaling, and regular retreats are how I inhale the life God offers me each day. These aren’t quick fixes or one-time solutions—they’re the rhythms that keep me connected to the One who sustains me.
I’ve found that it’s not enough to take a deep breath once a week at church and hope it lasts. You’d never take one gulp of air and expect to survive underwater for the rest of the week! Instead, God invites us to receive His presence moment by moment, to let Him fill us with the oxygen of grace, peace, and strength in the middle of life’s demands
There have been times in my life when I’ve stopped breathing. I’ve let the noise of the world drown out God’s voice. I’ve felt the tension rise, the drive to push harder, and the overwhelm of trying to do it all on my own. Those moments remind me why learning to breathe is so essential.
Breathing in Practice
For me, learning to breathe has looked like making intentional space to be with God. Journaling has become a nearly daily practice, helping me process my thoughts and ground myself in what’s true. Silent prayer has become a way of resting in God’s presence without needing to say or do anything—just being with Him in openness and trust.
These practices aren’t about “doing more.” They’re about letting go and allowing God to be the source of my life. They remind me that I don’t have to strive or prove my worth; I can simply breathe.
An Invitation to Breathe
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pace of life, if the waters of fear and exhaustion are pulling you under, I want to invite you to pause. Take a breath. Reflect on the practices that keep you connected to God and ask yourself: Am I breathing?
God is with us in the chaos, offering us His peace, His strength, and His presence. But we have to learn how to breathe underwater. It’s not easy, and it’s not instant, but it’s the only way to truly thrive in this world.
Take a moment today to stop holding your breath. Let God fill your lungs and your soul with the life He’s offering.