Breathe Again is a book mostly about the Christian faith and how to get the most out of it. The first few chapters pretty much cover the Gospel. The next few cover the process of strengthening your relationship with God. It covers the areas like reading the Bible, praying, etc. Lots of encouragement here because as a Christian he covers what a walk with God should look like. The last part kind of puts it all together by giving us steps with walking and letting the Holy Spirit use us. Overall for a seasoned Christian, lots of this may seem familiar instead of groundbreaking. For new believers, this book will truly help you start in the right direction in your new walk with Christ.

One thing I would have liked to see is a deeper focus on the Holy Spirit in the book. I do understand this book’s purpose is not intended for that after reading, but it’s more of a preference, not a critique.

Good book. I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley on behalf of Thomas Nelson, but wasn't obligated to post a review. All opinions are my honest opinions.

In 2021, I reviewed Pastor Chris Hodges’ book, Out of the Cave: Stepping into the Light When Depression Darkens What You See, in which he shared his personal struggles with anxiety and depression. He acknowledged that a stigma often surrounds mental health issues, particularly within the Church. But no one is immune to depression, he said, even those who have hope through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Through his testimony, Chris illustrated his journey with the Lord, leaving markers for others who may find themselves in similar valleys. Using biblical examples and inspirational stories, he ensured his key points sank into my memory bank. He urged those trapped by depression to step out of the cave and into the light, discovering renewed purpose and hope for the future. (See my April 2021 review here.)

Chris Hodges shared on Instagram that he reworked his 2013 book, Fresh Air, into Breathe Again: Reigniting Your Spirit with the Life of God, returns to the theme of spiritual valleys, introducing the concept of “the doldrums.” He provides a vivid maritime description. Before the advent of GPS and modern technology, sailors feared the Intertropical Convergence Zone—a “windless dead zone” located five degrees latitude north and south of the equator—worse than the Bermuda Triangle. Ships trapped in this zone faced raging storms overhead but could do nothing without wind in their sails, often leading to shipwreck.

While today’s sailors can avoid this area thanks to new technologies, Chris draws a parallel to spiritual life, noting that people can still experience a similar spiritual dead zone. This occurs when individuals keep one foot in the world and the other in God’s Kingdom, becoming spiritually stagnant. He identifies three key reasons for this state:
• Focusing on earthly matters rather than eternity.
• Relying on personal knowledge and intellect instead of seeking the Lord.
• Believing, like Adam and Eve, that we can be like God, rather than trusting in His wisdom and sovreignty over all things.

Many Christians view their relationship with Jesus as transactional, driven by performance—attending church, reading the Bible, and following a checklist of “dos and don’ts.” This can lead to legalistic practices reminiscent of the Pharisees, creating a sense of emptiness. Chris said, like the sailors in the doldrums, believers can feel trapped when relying on their own power to do what they think is required by God, instead of simply loving Him and recognizing He is in control. He said that true fulfillment comes from placing faith and trust wholly in God.

Chris reminds readers that we are created for a relationship with our Creator and Father. He points out that how we approach God is crucial and is often the root cause of experiencing spiritual stagnation. Our real life is found in the spirit. Yet, many tend to treat their relationship with God as a business transaction, believing that performing religious duties should result in blessings and prosperity.

Another common misconception is approaching God out of fear, as if trying to appease His anger, similar to Dorothy’s visit to the Wizard of Oz. Obedience driven by duty and fear of Hell, rather than love, misrepresents God’s true nature. Chris clarifies that Jesus promises spiritual abundance and eternal life, not ease on earth. He points to biblical figures, including Jesus Himself and the apostle Paul, as examples of people who stored up treasures in Heaven. Our eternal life beyond this world is more important than earthly circumstances. Believers have the assurance of eternal life through Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.

Chris encourages readers to truly know the God of the Bible and His many attributes. We are recipients of His love and grace because of His rescue plan through His Son, Jesus Christ. Chris wants us to find joy and delight as we spend time with God in His Word. The Holy Spirit is a teacher who will guide us in truth and obedience will then become easier, leading to deep spiritual roots and fruitfulness as a Christian. God desires time with us, and in return, we receive His peace and the refreshment of His Spirit.

Prayer is one of the ways we find refreshment in our spirits, Chris said. He highlights the model of the Lord’s Prayer, which he also discusses in his book Pray First: The Transformative Power of a Life Built on Prayer. (See my review from Oct. 2022 here.) I found a great sermon he gave on the topic of this model prayer Jesus offered His disciples. Chris recommends we begin each day talking with God since what we give our attention to first is what we worship. While the disciples were familiar with prayer through the Jewish tradition, they noticed the unique intimacy in Jesus’ prayers. He approached God as His Father. They wanted to pray like He did and have that relationship. Prayer is an opportunity to connect with God, seek His guidance, and express gratitude for the day.

Praise and worship are also vital for escaping spiritual stagnation. Chris includes guidance on Sabbath rest, noting that true rest is essential and sometimes requires fasting not just from food but from distractions like social media, 24/7 new channels, and smartphones. He introduces readers to the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, explaining who He is and debunking some the lies about Him. Also referred to as the Spirit of Christ, He dwells in every person who confesses, repents, and surrenders to God, serving as Comforter, Guide, Teacher, and Friend. By focusing on Him, believers can experience renewed spiritual life.

This book arrived at a fitting time for me. As the year begins, I find myself physically surrounded by snow and ice, while feeling mentally stuck – and yes, unlike Elsa, the cold does bother me. Chris’s message is a breath of fresh air. Though some content was familiar from his previous works, I needed the reminder that God sees my struggles and does not intend for me to bear them alone. In fact, in Matthew 11: 28-30, Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” God at creation instituted rest for our benefit, not His. He didn’t need a break, but He knows we need one.

This January has felt like Bill Murray's Groundhog Day, so I needed the reminder that it is meant as a time for renewal. Thank you, Netgalley, and Thomas Nelson Publishing for allowing me to read this advance review copy.

The ideas in this book are simple, but foundational — the ones we often drift from the longer were Christians. This book is truly a refreshing and gentle call back to truth and the joy of our salvation.