I'm just going to start, rather than with a scripture, but with a song:

You’re having a hard time and lately you don’t feel so good
You’re getting a bad reputation in your neighborhood
It’s alright, it’s alright
Sometimes that’s what it takes
You’re only human, you’re allowed to make your share of mistakes
You better believe there will be times in your life
When you’ll be feeling like a stumbling fool
So take it from me you’ll learn more from your accidents
Than anything that you could ever learn at school

Don’t forget your second wind
Sooner of later you’ll get your second wind

It’s not always easy to be living in this world of pain
You’re gonna be crashing into stone walls again and again
It’s alright, it’s alright
Though you feel your heart break
You’re only human, you’re gonna have to deal with heartache

Just like a boxer in a title fight
You got to walk in that ring all alone
You’re not the only one who’s made mistakes
But they’re the only thing that you can truly call your own

Don’t forget your second wind
Wait in that corner until that breeze blows in

You’ve been keeping to yourself these days
Cause you’re thinking everything’s gone wrong
Sometimes you just want to lay down and die
That emotion can be so strong
But hold on
Till that old second wind comes along

You probably don’t want to hear advice from someone else
But I wouldn’t be telling you if I hadn’t been there myself
It’s alright, it’s alright
Sometimes that’s all it takes
We’re only human
We’re supposed to make mistakes
But I survived all those long lonely days
When it seemed I did not have a friend
Cause all I needed was a little faith
So I could catch my breath and face the world again

Don’t forget your second wind
Sooner or later you’ll feel that momentum kick in
Don’t forget your second wind
Sooner or later you’ll feel that momentum kick in
-Billy Joel 'You're only Human (Second Wind)'

This song didn't remind me of my mistakes, or what I've done wrong or had to suffer in life.  This song reminded me that all it takes is a little faith, and you'll feel that second wind come along.

Its fairly humorous if you think about it that a non-believer would think that the 'second wind' is some magical form of energy you suddenly receive.  But its not…for us who know, its God giving us that final push, allowing us to take that final step, allowing us to make that last hour of work.  

The song also says: you're allowed to make your share of mistakes.  Boy do we know that!!  But as a believer, we KNOW that no matter HOW BAD a mistake we make, God will STILL receive us back and forgive us.  Acts 10:43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.  

The next set of lines is really powerful to me:

It’s not always easy to be living in this world of pain
You’re gonna be crashing into stone walls again and again **Don't we know that!
It’s alright, it’s alright
Though you feel your heart break
You’re only human, you’re gonna have to deal with heartache NO we DON'T!!!  God says that we have Him to set our eyes on and HIM to deal with our heartaches.  We don't have to hurt, LET GO and LET GOD.  

And then he says: You got to walk in that ring all alone… Remember, Satan wants you to feel alone, Satan WANTS you to be discouraged, like you are the boxer going to the title fight ALONE.  

With God you are NEVER alone.  Psalm 62:2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will NEVER be shaken.

You’ve been keeping to yourself these days
Cause you’re thinking everything’s gone wrong
Sometimes you just want to lay down and die
That emotion can be so strong
But hold on
Till that old second wind comes along

Remember that God is what you can hold onto…when EVERYTHING else is wrong, God is still there for you.  Just let Him in.  LET Him guide you, LET Him be your comfort.  LET Him be your second wind.  

But something interesting which comes just stuck real quietly in his song is this:
But I survived all those long lonely days
When it seemed I did not have a friend
Cause all I needed was a little faith

God tells us the same thing.  When we feel we are without a friend…we know God is there encouraging us, strengthening us, giving us peace.  Only God can do that.  

All we need to do is have a little faith.  Mark and Luke are filled with stories of those who have faith being healed and being freed from suffering and sin.  

So today, when you find yourself struggling, almost out of breath, remember that God will give you that second wind.  

All you need is a little faith.
Luke 7:50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

May you all have a BLESSED DAY!!!

Martina