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emily p. freeman

Creating space for your soul to breathe so you can discern your next right thing.

5 ways to breathe in a breathless world

Yesterday, I sat in the middle of plenty of time to write, dove down deep into my writing reserves, and all I came up with was one hand filled with sand, the other with water. Both slipped right through my fingers, nothing there to hold on to. The whole day went that way. Dinner, bedtime, evening. I was a portion there, a portion in the past, and a heavy portion in the future – a mind split up into too many pieces.

It was Monday. I can’t afford to have a Monday go that way.

What can we do when the sun rises up on all our good intentions but instead of giving the light we need to get our work done, it burns all the life right off the surface and scorches us down to the core? How can we breathe in our breathless worlds?

1. remember that productivity is not your god

We need to recognize our own uselessness sometimes. And not just recognize it and know it’s there, but to actually live it. To still the hands and close the eyes and know that really, we have nothing to offer alone. If we are unable to still and to close, sometimes the Lord is gracious to quiet us on his own terms in the form of a useless day. It seems a waste to me, but I believe he loves me enough to spend a whole day reminding me that productivity is not my god.

2. don’t confuse the urgent with the important

Urgent is bossy. Important is patient. Checking your email will not make it better. In fact, on the day when I’m grasping to be productive, checking my email makes it worse. A lot worse. Email feels urgent, but it is rarely important. Urgent things come in from outside and hop up and down on the ground of our souls, shaking us up until we  engage with them. Important things rise up from the convictions of our spirit and line the path of our lives with intention, purpose, focus, and heart. I need to know the difference. My family begs me to know the difference.

3. move toward community, not away

When I’m feeling breathless, my instinct is to retreat alone. Sometimes that’s needed and good. Often times for me, that is my way of grasping for control. Instead, I made a commitment to community nearly 11 years ago to move towards my husband, for better or worse. It doesn’t seem like an answer, but it is. Continue to move toward community. Two solitudes gathering together can be messy, needy, broken. But it can also bring life.

4. learn how to close the day

The hours dedicated to the work have come and they have gone. And now it’s time to enter in to the next season of the day. But I hang on. Oh, how tightly I hang on. Check one more email. Refresh one more page. Jot down one more item on the list. I don’t know how to stop. But I must learn. 

5. lift up your eyes

One useless day does not have to mean writer’s block for months on end or failure to meet a goal forever. It does not mean you are on the wrong track or chose the wrong profession or are hopelessly lazy. One useless day is simply that: one day. We usually see what we look for, so if you look for the gift in that day, if you dare to set aside your own compulsions, you might see this hilarious uselessness as a felt reminder of your own smallness. And oh, the blessed relief of my smallness! And so be small, and lift up your eyes to see where your help comes from.

How do you catch your breath in a breathless world?

Sign up here for Still Moments, a week-long audio devotional I designed to help you create space for your soul to breathe in less than five minutes a day.

 

Filed Under: breathe, faith Tagged With: rest

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. HopeUnbroken says

    May 15, 2012 at 7:34 AM

    surrendering to #5. that’s where it all lies for me. when i desperately try to breathe by clinging to all those other things that surround me, he draws me. woos me. lifts my eyes to gaze into His.
    it is only then that i can find my breathing space again.
    lovely words you have me thinking on this day. thank you for sharing them.
    steph

    Reply
  2. Karen Sebor says

    May 15, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    Your words take my breath away. What a glorious gift you have expressing deep, meaningful thoughts! Thank you for sharing them with us. Sending you my “love” today.

    Reply
  3. Stephanie Spencer says

    May 15, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    Wow. What fantastic reminders. So important to keep perspective.

    I try to remind myself that God created me as a human being, not a human doing. And that the world will keep spinning even if I stop running on it. Sometimes we need to release productivity and remember our greater purpose.

    As an achiever, those words are easy to type, but difficult to live out.

    I may print out your post to keep on my desk. Each point is simple, profound, & beautiful.

    Reply
  4. Eileen says

    May 15, 2012 at 8:48 AM

    I agree with Steph’s comment! That’s where my hope is found. I need to keep my heart receptive to where He is leading me everyday.

    Reply
  5. Stacey says

    May 15, 2012 at 8:50 AM

    Oh, beautiful and timely. My Monday sounds a little bit like yours. I love this encouragement and hand holding you offer us. Thank you.

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth says

    May 15, 2012 at 8:50 AM

    I am filled with gratitude for this beautiful list and the nestled hard truths tucked in each item on it. This is a keeper.

    Reply
  7. Johanna says

    May 15, 2012 at 8:51 AM

    Emily, thank you so much for this. There are many times when I feel this way, and you are so right that looking up is the only way. Sometimes at the end of the day I go through (or write down) five good things about the day. In the end, even if nothing else got accomplished, I had my family close to me, I can depend on an ever-faithful Savior, and I (the oh-so-controlling I) am not in control.

    Reply
  8. Southern Gal says

    May 15, 2012 at 8:54 AM

    I confuse urgency with importance on a regular basis which has me running around dealing with good when the best is left undone. And the last one? Yes, that one touches me – one who isn’t a writer, but a wife, mother, teacher. The Father cares and longs for me to come to Him. Your words touch deep today.

    Reply
  9. Sharon O says

    May 15, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    When I feel overwhlemed and over loaded with ‘things’ I stop… breathe and slow down.
    I love the ‘urgent over the important concept’… such good thoughts today, thank you.

    Reply
  10. Andrea says

    May 15, 2012 at 9:35 AM

    I am not a writer, but am living in my own “gotta get it done” place with other responsibilities. I know well that place of the hovering gnats swarming around saying “you should be doing, calling, organizing, working on, visiting….” And yet, I can’t. Can’t make it happen, muster up the will, find the clarity for where to begin. So I’ve been learning (as you’ve shared in the past,) to return to the NOW. “Lord, what do you want from me now?” This moment. Maybe it’s just to close the laptop, sit outside for a few moments and rehearse, out loud, who He is and who I am not. And then ask again, “Lord, what now?” And often, I can start something, though it may not have even been on my list of the urgent. And trust that this is what He has for me NOW. Shampoo, rinse, repeat, as often as necessary.

    Reply
  11. Camilla says

    May 15, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    Thank you. My heart needed to hear these words this morning. I pinned the post so that I can go back to it for fresh reminding as needed.

    Reply
  12. Kristin S says

    May 15, 2012 at 9:52 AM

    Emily, the “move toward community” is where the Lord has me right now. He has pulled me out of a pit and I’ve had no choice but to call on the Body and trust friends with my deepest pains. They have all faithfully pointed me to Him and scripture. Sigh, so humbling.

    Reply
  13. Ali says

    May 15, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    I thought I was the only one to have days (or weeks!) like that! Thank you, Emily, for sharing your heart so the Lord can touch mine. Even though we haven’t met, I feel as though we are kindred spirits!

    Reply
  14. Maureen says

    May 15, 2012 at 9:56 AM

    “hilarious uselessness,” love that! A reminder to smile and laugh at our own smallness, at our own teeny tiny part in the Lord’s amazing design, at our own sense of vital important-ness. He is able. And we can relax in the comfort of that. Thank you!

    Reply
  15. Sandy Cooper says

    May 15, 2012 at 9:58 AM

    I had this exact kind of day yesterday, too. Thank you for all the reminders. Exactly what I needed.

    Blessings,
    Sandy

    Reply
  16. adornedlife says

    May 15, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    prying myself out from under the comfort of the covers, sneaking as quietly as possible down the creaking stairs and stepping out into the darkness to look at the blanket of stars laid out for me in the quiet and the still…all to remember that not one word has failed of all His good promises.

    Reply
  17. Kelly says

    May 15, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    Thank you for this. I read it and my soul took a big, deep breath.

    Reply
  18. Hannah McKay says

    May 15, 2012 at 10:28 AM

    #1 & #2…piercing. All of this so encouraging. Thank you.

    Reply
  19. Linda says

    May 15, 2012 at 10:30 AM

    I feel as though I am in a season of such days and yesterday was particularly so. I am so amazed at the way the Lord uses your words in such a timely way in my life. Thank you for faithfully writing in the difficult places Emily.

    Reply
  20. la domestique says

    May 15, 2012 at 10:31 AM

    That bit about feeling like productivity is my god is so true! During a frustrating day when I can’t produce, I step back and remind myself that my moments of inspiration don’t come from me. I let go and go for a walk, resigning myself to simply appreciate the beauty of a day and to give love to others.

    Reply
  21. Charissa Steyn says

    May 15, 2012 at 10:36 AM

    I love these reminders- thank you! I love playing piano, writing, reading the word, drinking tea, and going for a jog…these are all ways that also seem to help me “catch my breath” 🙂

    Reply
  22. Lisa says

    May 15, 2012 at 10:58 AM

    I love what you said, don’t confuse the urgent with the important. Sometimes the unimportant things seem so urgent and take precedence. That is certainly something to keep in check. I tend to retreat when times get too busy. I need that communal time with the myself and God. Time of reflection and peace to pull myself back together. I’m not pulling way from my family. I end up being a better wife and mother when I do it. It is for them as much as for me…

    Reply
  23. Kelly Sauer says

    May 15, 2012 at 11:21 AM

    I’m going to be saving this one. I think I will need it again. About once-a-week-again… 😉

    Reply
  24. OHM says

    May 15, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    I had a day JUST LIKE THIS: http://1hotmom.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-did-you-do-today-mom.html. How wonderful to read your words: sometimes we need to recognize our own uselessness! Yes! I don’t want productivity to be my god, but wow, how often I seem to make it that way. You remind me to tumble that fake god off his pedestal and focus on what’s true.
    Thanks!

    Reply
  25. Patricia says

    May 15, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    “One useless day…does not mean you are on the wrong track or chose the wrong profession or are hopelessly lazy. One useless day is simply that: one day.”

    What a GREAT reminder! I’m pretty bad about falling into spirals like that–“one day” can morph into a global, all-encompassing failure seemingly in the blink of an eye sometimes. I can use that wonderful sentence like a rope to pull myself out when I start to slip down into that place.

    Reply
  26. Becky K. says

    May 15, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    Oh how I needed to read this today. Thank you.

    Reply
  27. Flower Patch Farmgirl says

    May 15, 2012 at 2:58 PM

    Also? Refuse to make your bed and do the dishes for a day. I’m so for real.

    Reply
  28. Donna Attaway says

    May 15, 2012 at 3:23 PM

    Emily, It is quite amazing that you are able to “see” these things at an age when your children are still young. Many of us much older are just now (I am certain) realizing these important truths you make today. As a person driven by my “to-do” list, i can so identify with you. Thanks for sharing your special gift “your writing” with us.

    Reply
  29. Christina says

    May 15, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    Wow. Emily, you are such a blessing! A spirit/soul sister. Love your blogs. So full of truth and heartfelt honesty and transparency. This post just hit a homerun with me! Amazing! Reading my thoughts. Journeying together. Be Blessed!!!

    <3
    Christina

    Reply
  30. Anna says

    May 15, 2012 at 3:52 PM

    I know what you mean about unproductive days. I think for me it is easy to feel that a day like that = I am a failure which is obviously ridiculous but working for myself it’s easy to be a harsh boss. I find I need to know from the One who made the day what He actually means it to be for. My idea of how much should be achieved I think is often far more than His.

    Reply
  31. Joy says

    May 15, 2012 at 5:39 PM

    I had an unproductive day today. I feel like it was wasted, I beat myself up over it. So many things that I should/could have done but didn’t for whatever reason. Thanks, Emily, for the reminder that God is ultimately in control and working things out for His glory and His timing. That the spiritual life is not something that is achieved, but learned, unlearned, relearned, rinse, lather, repeat.

    Reply
  32. Cassie says

    May 15, 2012 at 7:43 PM

    Thank you. I *so* needed this today, especially the last bit. I struggle with failure: not the fact that I fail, because I accept that as part of life, but the letting go of it and realizing that I can go on to succeed. I love your blog because you always seem to have words that are so needful in my life, and today you’ve just gone and done it again 😉

    thank you,

    thank you,

    thank you.

    Reply
  33. Marie says

    May 15, 2012 at 10:02 PM

    Swimming in the depths of uselessness… Allowing the cool waters of grace to soothe my weary soul…

    I have such a hard time with that.

    Reply
  34. Sharon R Hoover says

    May 15, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    I love this post, Emily! I especially need to work on “How to close the day”. Indeed, there is always another email to read, another sentence to write, another point to ponder. Thank you for the reminder that there is also another day … Lord willing.

    Reply
  35. Caroline says

    May 15, 2012 at 11:50 PM

    I do this, too: “When I’m feeling breathless, my instinct is to retreat alone.” Though I do retreat TO my husband, but AWAY from so many others. And sometimes I need that. But, like you said, community is so important. Community refreshes.

    Thanks, Emily.

    Reply
  36. Shanna | FoodLovesWriting.com says

    May 16, 2012 at 10:04 AM

    I read Acts 17:25 this morning, where Paul describes God as the one who “he himself gives life and breath and everything,” and I thought of this post, ways to breathe in a breathless world. It’s got me praising the source of living waters in a new way this morning. Thank you!

    Reply
  37. lee says

    May 16, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this reflection! Over the past couple of months, I’ve felt God pushing me to be better with my priorities and how I distribute my time…and there are some days it feels like a never-ending battle. But it’s reminders like yours that I’ve found scattered through my weeks that remind me of God’s patience as I learn and grow…even if it’s one little tiny molecule at a time.

    Reply
  38. Angela says

    May 16, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    WOW!!! Your’e writing takes my breath away and puts words to everything that stirs on my heart and mind. I’m a SAHM with a one year old who feels called to write and pursue photography. So many days I feel are useless, yet I know that just because not everything was checked off my to do list that my day was unsuccessful. God is teaching me to look for and capture the beauty of everyday moments in order to see the details of His handiwork.

    I wish we lived closer so I could take you out for coffee and just talk to you. Keep writing…because even though maybe you didn’t get the writing done for your work, you created a encouraging blog post.

    Reply
  39. Jeannie S says

    May 16, 2012 at 4:48 PM

    Love this! Love that productivity is not our god. Thank you for that reminder. When I feel like I barely made a dent in the day’s to do list, I remind myself I did accomplish something. God uses all things in ways we don’t realize. Blessings on you Emily!

    Reply
  40. Carol H. says

    May 16, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    I’ve been having what seems like a month of “a mind split up into too many pieces.”
    Sigh.
    Thanks for all five of your reminders!

    Reply
  41. Zhanna says

    May 16, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    Why do you have to be so wonderful?!

    This week my monday was useless.

    I went to bed Sunday night with every intention to get a lot done, to start my week with a BANG, to be productive.

    But it turned out to be a pretty slow day. My short bible study turned into being 2 hours of reading and taking notes and then I somehow floated to our office where I started looking through old albums for another couple of hours and laughing my head off at all the memories.

    When I looked at the clock, it was time to get started on dinner.

    I felt like an utter failure, that I allowed a whole day to just kind of pass me by with no productivity but reading your post reminded that every once in a while this is not only okay but beneficial. It was a slow monday and surprisingly I really enjoyed it, I slowed down a bit and it was exactly what I needed. I guess God knew that. He put all my plans on hold and just had me float 🙂

    Reply
  42. Jess says

    May 16, 2012 at 5:42 PM

    I struggle with all of this….there’s always one more thing to do, even at 11pm.

    I try to spend time sewing (quilts, clothes whatever) to give me a bit of that time to breath. I can create and pray and think, while recharging and doing something productive.

    Reply
  43. Laken says

    May 16, 2012 at 9:52 PM

    This is one of those posts that I know my eyes were meant to read this week. Taking it all to heart.

    Thank you for your words, Emily.

    Reply
  44. Amy says

    May 16, 2012 at 11:19 PM

    This post washed over me and covered all the open, raw places in my soul. [I might have laid down and rolled around in it once or twice just to make sure nothing was missed.] Life lately has been filled with long, long work hours, questions of purpose and direction, and the haunting sense of failure that comes when #5 is forgotten, and a “wasted” day projects onto every day and every project in the future. Thank you for sharing your heart. I’m awful at breathing … some days I literally have to remind myself to take nice, deep breaths … and it wears on every ounce of my being. Reading this was truly a breath of fresh air, and I deeply appreciate your words.

    Tonight I ate yogurt for dinner and sat outside watching the wind. Perhaps that is how I breath in a breathless world :-).

    Reply
  45. Jackie says

    May 17, 2012 at 11:01 AM

    Thank you Emily <3

    Reply
  46. Kimberly says

    May 17, 2012 at 1:20 PM

    These are all great and God inspired! The one that stands out to me is urgent vs. important. Recently I have felt the Lord dealing with me in this area because I too am familiar with that knawing feeling of urgency. This, for me, goes hand in hand with closing the day. I try not to check my email right before I serve breakfast, pick up the kids, or start bed time- it always distracts me, taking my mind elsewhere and I am learning that many things can wait!

    Thanks for the reminders!

    Reply
  47. Leigh Ann @ Intentional By Grace says

    May 17, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    I think #3 and #4 are the hardest for me, especially in this particular season. This was such a gentle reminder!

    Reply
  48. jillian m. {coffee, light and sweet} says

    May 18, 2012 at 7:43 AM

    Wonderful advice. And so beautifully written. There are some things here I need to work on – checking email being one of them!

    Reply
  49. Andee//Nature of a Servant says

    May 27, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    This is beautiful. I feel I do most of these things..though not well all of the time. If I can just master #4, I think that would be a huge help in learning to “breathe”.

    Reply
  50. Rebecca says

    May 27, 2012 at 2:10 PM

    Words worth a tree! I especially needed #4. . .I get the Energizer Bunny thing going on far too often.

    Reply
  51. Gwen says

    May 27, 2012 at 2:29 PM

    exactly the words I needed to hear today. I was just writing a blog entry about relaxing and not rushing through life. God is working on that with me and I loved reading your thoughts! thank you!

    Reply
  52. Dee says

    May 27, 2012 at 2:33 PM

    What wise words and advice! Thank you.

    Reply
  53. Kerry @ Made For Real says

    May 27, 2012 at 3:46 PM

    I try to stop and have a laugh. Plus reading how others are relating in the same is soooo comforting and reassuring – it’s my deep breath, many times some days.

    Reply
  54. SuperErin says

    May 28, 2012 at 12:09 AM

    This really spoke to me today. Thank you.

    Reply
  55. Alyssa says

    May 28, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    This is so beautiful. Thank you! I don’t want productivity to be my god.

    Reply
  56. Magen says

    May 29, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    This IS beautiful. #1 and #3 for me. I was so incredibly swamped the last 3 weeks that I just worked myself into a cave. I just came out and I’m concerned I may not have any friends after this 🙂

    Reply
  57. Alicia Jaybird says

    May 30, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    This post is just the gentle reminder I needed. #2 especially rings true right now- whenever I am running around trying to get things together, I still whip out my phone to check email- as if something requiring urgent response will have appeared in the last five minutes. This is the first post I have read on your blog and I look forward to reading more!

    Reply
  58. Erin says

    June 4, 2012 at 2:55 AM

    Just found your blog via this post, and can’t wait to read more. I love the urging to move toward community and not away. I plan to share this entry with a friend who could really need some reassurance right now. Appreciating your words…

    Reply
  59. Mr kelly says

    October 7, 2013 at 4:30 PM

    Do need a loan if yes this my email kellyloanfinance101@gmail.com

    Reply
  60. Maryann says

    November 8, 2015 at 1:44 PM

    I can relate to the problem of not closing the day in the best way. I would love to read more about this.

    Reply

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