Follow Friday: The Sacred Exhale (Following Jesus in Everyday Moments)
True strength is found in humility. This Sacred Exhale reminds us that asking for help is not weakness, but the way of Jesus - releasing burdens and receiving His peace.
Every Friday, we pause together to ask: What does it mean to truly follow Jesus, right here, right now?
This week, that question feels heavy on my heart as I've witnessed someone close to me choose courage in vulnerability. Let me share what I've learned about the sacred act of asking for help.
The Call to Courage
Have you ever watched someone you respect take a truly brave step, admitting they could not carry their burdens alone?
This week, someone close to me chose boldness not by pretending to "have it all together," but by letting others in. As I explored in Truth-Telling Tuesday: Living Authentically in Faith, this vulnerability is the heart of real strength.
What does it take for a man to finally raise his hand and say, "I am struggling, I need help"?
The world conditions us to "suck it up," to keep quiet about our pain. But the way of Jesus flips these scripts. In God's Kingdom, strength is inseparable from humility.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
The Sacred Exhale
Exhaling is a holy act, a reminder that we were never meant to hold everything in ourselves. As I discussed in The Sacred Exhale: How to Know When It's Time to Protect Your Peace and Let Go, following Jesus means trusting that we can release our burdens, breathe deeply, and let others carry us when our breath feels too short.
The Everyday Practice of Following
To follow Jesus is to invite Him into the real, messy, ordinary moments. Whether in the carpool line, in the silence when no one notices your struggle, or in the small act of saying, "I cannot do this on my own."
Every time we admit we cannot carry it all, we make space for God to breathe His peace into our lungs. Every act of honesty is a kind of Sabbath for the soul, as explored in my recent post on Truth-Telling Tuesday: Living Authentically in Faith.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
- Matthew 11:28–29
As a man, I have learned it is not weak to feel. It is not shameful to admit: I am human. I have a heart.
To my brothers, to every child, and to every elder reading this: your pain is real, and your voice matters. If you are struggling, please know it is never a weakness to ask for help. Every one of us will need the support of others at some point - that is the gift of community. Whatever you are facing right now, you are not alone. Others have walked this path before you, and there are hearts and hands ready to walk with you now.
Jesus models a life of vulnerability. He wept. He asked questions. He invited friends close in His darkest hour. We honor Him when we choose connection over isolation.
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
- Galatians 6:2
A Practice for Today
Take a deep breath and feel your chest rise.
As you exhale, imagine placing one of your unspoken burdens into God's hands, following the practice outlined in The Sacred Exhale: How to Know When It's Time to Protect Your Peace and Let Go.
Ask yourself: What is a struggle weighing on your heart right now?
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
- 1 Peter 5:7
Imagine your best friend or child came to you with that same pain. How would you respond?
Turn that compassion inward, as I encouraged in The Midweek Mirror: Receiving Your Own Advice. What if you offered yourself the same care?
Stay with the release for a moment. Notice the quiet shift inside you when you let go.
Making Room for Wholeness
Faith is not about erasing our feelings or pretending we do not need help. It is about finding balance, embracing both our strength and softness, the masculine and the feminine within us, that together reflect the fullness of God's image.
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
- Genesis 1:27
Part of this balance is gratitude. When we pause to give thanks even in the middle of our struggle, we remember that God is near, steady, and faithful. Gratitude keeps our hearts soft while we keep walking in strength.
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Reflection Questions
• Where are you tempted to hide your struggles?
• What is one step you could take today to be honest with God, yourself, or a trusted friend?
• How might God want to draw near to you in your place of need?
• What can you thank God for, even in the middle of your struggle?
• Where can you pause today to breathe deeply and remember you are not alone, as explored in Whispers for the Week Ahead: Guarding Your Heart and Mind with Peace?
A Prayer for Those Who Ask for Help
Lord, thank You that it is safe to bring my honest heart to You.
On the inhale, fill me with Your Spirit.
On the exhale, teach me to release what I was never meant to carry.
Give me humility to ask for help, and courage to carry others when they cannot stand alone.
Help me balance strength and softness, so I can follow You authentically in every moment.
Amen.
Let us make space for real connection by naming our struggles, by reaching out, by letting others in. If you need support, you are not alone. And in following Jesus, you are always moving toward healing.
I’m deeply grateful for every single one of you walking alongside me on this journey through life. Sweet soul, never let society dictate who you should be. I urge you to rise with courage and wisdom, to keep sharpening your edge, because you never know what assignment God will place before you next.
Stay open, stay true to your heart. Work toward balancing your masculine strength with your feminine tenderness, building it all on the unshakable foundation of faith. When those energies come into harmony, you discover a love deeper than words can capture. You realize that you are loved, that you are worthy of love, no matter what anyone else may think.
Live your life rooted in faith and anchored in love, for it is from that ground that we grow into the fullness of who we are called to be.
With love and appreciation,
Eugene 💚
Catch Up on This Week's Connected Reflections
• The Frequency of Faith: Holding Steady When the Noise Returns
• The Sacred Exhale: How Faith Becomes Your Daily Anchor
• The Whisper to Begin: "Follow Me" in the Ordinary
• Truth Telling Tuesday: Living Authentically in Faith
Ready to Deepen Your Journey?
Explore my Speak Your Truth and Frequency Collections - curated resources to support your authentic faith journey and help you tune into God's frequency in daily life.
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Weekly Editorial Rhythm
• Monday: Monday Morning Grace (gentle start to the week with faith-centered encouragement)
• Tuesday: Truth Telling Tuesday (authentic reflections on living faith boldly)
• Wednesday: The Midweek Mirror (pause for spiritual reflection and self-compassion)
• Thursday: Frequency Thursday (tuning into God's voice amid life's noise)
• Friday: Follow Friday (exploring what it means to follow Jesus in everyday moments)
• Saturday: Sacred Saturday (rest, reflection, and spiritual practices)
• Sunday: Sunday Soul Food (nourishing reflections to ground your week ahead)