B.E.A.C.H.

Best Escape Anyone Can Have!

How many of you are in need of an escape? At times do you ever feel like your life has become a merry-go-round that is spinning way to fast? Perhaps you are waiting for it to slow down long enough to jump off. Well if you can relate, than this message is for you.

When you begin to feel drained and depleted, it's time to head to the beach!

The ocean is God's healing force that has the ability to bring peace and soothe our souls. It gives us the opportunity to realign our mind, body, and spirit. The more time you spend near the ocean, the calmer you become. Your heart rate slows down, stress is diminished, and your breathing patterns begin to change and become more rhythmical, just like the waves.

Rhythmic breathing is where your breathing becomes calm and relaxed. The more relaxed you are, the more you are able to release the stress in your body. Sounds heavenly doesn't it? They say we can experience heaven here on earth and I believe that to be true, just spend time at the beach and you will experience it too!

For me, the ocean is not only calming & peaceful, but it's where God renews my spirit. I'm reminded of just how vast God's love really is for me and how patient he is, especially when I allow the world to distract me from spending time with him. As deep as the ocean is, I am reminded that the depth of his mercy and grace is much greater. The beach humbles me and my gratitude grows as I reflect on how blessed I am to be there in God's presence.

Mark 4:35-41

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down, and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Friends, God can calm any storm that rages within you. We just need to turn to him and make him a priority in our lives. Find and seek that peaceful setting that calms your heart. For you it may be sitting along side a lake or river, walking through a forest, or sitting on a mountain top. Wherever God speaks to you, I encourage you to go there. Allow God to speak to your heart and he will give you that peace you are seeking.

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

As I think about the upcoming weeks, I am excited for the opportunity to create memories and to experience the beach & ocean with my cousins from Michigan. I pray for God's hand of protection on their travels here, and our travels across this beautiful state. I pray they will be filled with God's indescribable peace, as they take in just how vast the ocean is and his love for them, which is as far as the east is from the west.

Casting Crowns - East to West

Psalm 103:11-13

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime