Photo Credit: Rafael via Creative Commons

[dropcaps style= ‘square’]M[/dropcaps]ost of us can remember learning how to swim. We usually start in the shallow end of the pool, learning how to float so that we don’t drown. Then, we progress to learn different strokes and how to tread water. It is all part of the process of learning how to swim. As we journey through life, we learn in different stages as well. Yet, sometimes the weight of life can leave us feeling as if we are sinking.

 

When we face hard things in life, sometimes we can just try to swim faster to compensate. All the while, we are telling the Lord about how we are not going to make, that we are going to drown, and how it is all over. We keep treading water faster and faster, while becoming more weary and exhausted. Fear takes over, and we can think that the Lord has forsaken us.

 

Yet, sometimes, God comes to us and whispers, “Just stand up.”

 

When we let our feet touch the ground and rise up, we realize that we were panicking in 3 feet of water. The water wasn’t going to overtake us. It was simply a matter of perspective. God is calling us to rise up where we are, because there are deeper places He wants to take us. If we can’t trust God in 3 feet of water, we won’t be able to trust Him in deep waters.

 

Living in the Deep

“Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.”(Matthew 8:23-26 NLT)

 

The disciples were in the middle of the deep and feeling out of control. As fear was rising up, they thought it was over. The disciples didn’t realize that Jesus’ presence in the storm was the answer. As they were wailing, Jesus asked them a question at the heart of the issue. “Why are you afraid?”

 

When we face difficulties, we can have a similar response as the disciples. We start telling Jesus how we are going to drown, because that is the only way to describe the feeling. We ask that he would deliver us from the pain, heartache, diagnosis, or difficulty. He can, and sometimes He does. Yet, the question becomes whether or not we are willing to trust Him no matter the outcome.

 

As we walk with Him, He is with us – Immanuel, God with us.  There is no need to let fear steal your sleep at night or your faith in the day. Jesus’ words “why are you afraid?” should remind us that there is no need to fear when Jesus is with us. 

 

 Trust Without Borders

 

In the song, Oceans by Hillsong, it says, “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the water, wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander. My faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.” Our hearts cry out those words. We want God to take us to deeper places of faith, but it has to start with trusting Him in the shallow end of the pool. Instead of swimming and flailing your way into deep waters, God might want you to just walk there.

 

Isaiah 43:1b-2 (NLT) says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” As you walk with God, God’s promise is that He will be with you in the deep.  So whether we are in shallow water or oceans deep, we need not fear or panic, because God is there. He is with you as the waves toss around you and threaten to undo you. He is with you as the storm circles and there seems to be little relief. He is with you when the water is calm but it just seems like too much to keep going.

 

When we walk through the water, we find that God is present. Instead of telling God all the reasons why we can’t have faith, why don’t we just start by whispering His Name?

 

Jesus.

 

He is present. His promises remain true.  When we trust Him to lead us even into the great unknown, we can rest in the promise of His unfailing presence in our lives. 

 

 

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About Hona Amer

I help people live life to the fullest. Check out my book, Smart Work U. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In order to receive updates, subscribe below.

 

 

 

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Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.