Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.Psalms 138:7 KJV
I had swum out too far – just a teen ager – my feelings had been hurt and I had a “broken heart.”I was working out and wearing down my disappointment and emotional turmoil.An average swimmer, I started to feel fatigued and turned and looked back to shore.It was so far away…
I look back now and remember the panic that came over me.I found myself in an undercurrent and could barely see my friend with her hands cupped to her mouth, yelling something, yet I couldn’t make out what she was saying due to the distance and the sound of the water. Yes, water is loud in those circumstances.For one thing…I was in its domain.
The watery slosh of the waves was loud enough but that beating, throbbing sound seemed to be coming from my heart.
Just seconds before I didn’t know that panic had hidden deep within me, waiting to rise up like a bobber in the water; and seconds before I had been stroking the water confidently - now I was slapping at it as if it were attacking me.
That sinking, drowning feeling can do more than cripple you for the moment it can be devastatingly dangerous. Have you ever felt a moment when fear is the strongest emotion you have?How can you suppress and control it long enough to respond and react with certitude?
Think on This:In the middle of a lake, a boat jerks as it smacks against the whitecaps on a windy day.The passenger falls back, grasping at air and hits water.What happens? …
Scenario #1 – The grasping at air turns into fistfuls of aqua and the thrashing begins.She holds her breath but knows that she must suck in air and forces herself up and out, gulping in the crisp air but taking in water at the same time.Coughing, she slaps at the water, beating at it as if it were an enemy and she tires...the enemy is too strong and only has to wait –
Scenario #2 – Falling over board there is a second of panic and dread but she lets herself fall and sink until she collects her thoughts.Somehow she gains a calmness and starts pushing down with her hands while moving her feet back and forth…back and forth…back and forth.
Sun is filtering through above her, warped and distorted through its prism of water.It seems far away but getting closer.Finally, she surfaces and opens her mouth to receive the delicious air and greets the beautiful sun.Panic starts to surface again as the waves hit her face but instinctively she calls out to God.She continues to use her feet and the strength of her arms, not to beat the enemy, but to dance with it.Her heart slows its pace but thoughts start creeping in – “Where’s the boat?”; “Did the boat capsize?”; “Will I die?” … “Must stay calm …must stay calm …must stay calm.”
A hand reaches out as her companion calls her name above the noisy commotion of the lake…she grabs it as if it were anchored to Gibraltar and together they work her to safety.
I can still recall the strength I was regaining as I neared the shoreline.What started as panic turned to determination and the outcome was a good one.
I learned that Heather had been calling me – she could hardly see anything accept for my head bobbing up and down and she was feeling – uhuh…panic.Heather was on firm ground, yet was also filled with dread; questions flew at her “What will I do?”“Who can I call?”, “Can she hear me?”Not a good swimmer at that time she knew she wasn’t the answer; there was no boat nor hand to reach out to me.That day had a good ending.
Do you know… Do you understand… Do you accept that God extends His hand to you?
To save you from… To support you in… To assure you during your trials.
The NIV states Psalms 138:7 this way- Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
Drowning in circumstances that overwhelm you is futile.There is an old saying “If God seems far away…who moved?”Draw closer to God, run to God, hide in God but never count him out…He never leaves us.Look up through the distortions of hidden fear and panic and see the bright face of the Son.
(Check out how he reassured Joshua in Joshua 1:5, 9)
Walking in Peace / division of C.O.P.E. Women's Ministries Sue Puff, author