Breath of Life

Daniel Ashton Ridlon

My husband and two of my children are asthmatic. We have experienced many times the urgency involved with the inability to breathe. As human beings we take much for granted. We ask God for an abundance of material items. We desire a bigger house, nicer car, larger income and etc... This past week my two year old son Daniel had an asthma attack due to pneumonia developing in his lungs. The attack came on suddenly. I rushed him to urgent care, where he was sent by ambulance to a Children's Hospital. The fear I felt was real. God softly placed a verse in my heart “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7 NKJV). I felt peace in my heart as I recalled the countless times God has rescued me and my family members in the past. God is the creator. He breathed the "breath of life" into our nostrils.

When we returned home we began the treatment leading to recovery. The treatment was intense! Daniel required antibiotics, steroids, countless breathing treatments, love, constant care, and prayer. The spiritual realization from all of this became clear to me. God is the breath of life. We medicate spiritually through prayer, reading His word, attending church, Bible studies, and fellowship with fellow believers. If we as believers fail to medicate spiritually we too will feel an inability to breathe. Living life without God will be increasingly more difficult over time. Our relationships suffer, our peace is diminished, we become agitated, short tempered, and often our physical health weakens. I challenge you to stay focused on God. If you have never received Jesus into your heart pray this prayer : "Dear Lord, I realize I am a sinner. I have failed you and I repent of my sin. Forgive me of my sin. I give my heart to you this day. Send your holy spirit to live inside my heart, to guide me the rest of my days. Thank you Jesus, for dying for my sin, accepting me where I am, and loving me unconditionally. Today medicate yourself spiritually!!!