This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18‑21

Do you feel like you have been holding your breath this year? I certainly do. It feels like we are all just waiting for the next piece of bad news.
 
In December of 2013, I was sitting in a pew at Peachtree Church listening to Amy Little sing Breath of Heaven with these lyrics: “Breath of heaven. Hold me together. Be forever near me. Breath of heaven. Lighten my darkness.” Tears began to stream down my face. For about five years, I felt like I had been holding my breath as I worked through a difficult hardship with my extended family’s businesses and real estate holdings caused by the 2008 financial crisis.
 
Throughout those years I had to deal with lawyers, realtors and accountants constantly. As decisions needed to be made, our lawyer would consistently tell me that we didn’t have any good options. He would suggest that we choose the “least bad thing.” I would often go into the tiny chapel at Peachtree with the difficult situations before me and, on many occasions, I would even take the latest financial spreadsheets with me asking God for his “way out.”
 
I think some of what I felt might have been a bit like what Joseph must have been experiencing when he received the news of Mary’s pregnancy. Overwhelmed. Disappointed. Shocked. The NIV translation of Matthew 1:20 says, “after he considered this,” and the Message translation says, “While he was trying to figure a way out.” I think his considering and figuring likely included holding his breath, crying, praying, seeking wisdom, waiting and hoping. God came through for him in a dream.
 
The answers didn’t come through for me in a dream, but they came through in trusted voices giving my guidance, in scripture, sometimes the collection of circumstances made it clear, and occasionally in God’s voice speaking to my heart. With each step and each decision, God showed me the way out each day. He showed Joseph the way out, and He can for you as well.

For Reflection

In what situation do you need God’s way out?
How could you present this situation before God such as in a journal, on a walk, or in a chapel?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, Life seems hard right now. Help us not to hold our breath, but instead to lean on you during these difficult days. Today, give us eyes and a heart to experience your presence and give us wisdom for the difficult situation or season in which we find ourselves. Thank you for always making a way out.  In the name of your son, Immanuel, Amen.