James 3:4 (NKJV)
“Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.”
Have you ever just felt like you were drifting through life like floating down a river with no paddle? Maybe you feel that you finally have yourself pointed the right direction only to be pushed off course again? How about the winds of life seeming to kick up at the wrong time sending you the opposite way you want to go?
We all can find ourselves at times where it seems that life is pushing us in a direction we don’t want to go. It’s not for a lack of trying to go in another direction, but it seems we can’t steer or there is no control at all. There may not even be a reason that we feel so lost, just that there is a sense of disconnection.
We can quickly think that there is something wrong with ourselves or begin to get anxious as we panic. We can lose every form of rational thought as we search for a way to get back to the shore. Things can get even worse if we lose hope and have no faith that we will avoid the rougher water before we finally go over the approaching waterfall.
We can probably all think of situations in our lives when it felt like this. Needing to find out what’s wrong as we are rushed to the hospital in an ambulance or sitting in the emergency room. Trying to stretch our paychecks farther as we open another past due notice or listen to a message from a collection agency. Too many have been through parts of the criminal justice system not once, but too many times to count and the nightmare still has not ended.
It may be a combination of several situations that may not include just us. We may be stuck in the current when the phone rings and we find out there is an issue with a parent, child, or another family member. I have been there in the emergency room for both myself and others, I have been caught up on my bills when that emergency came up, and I have seen those lights in the rearview mirror when my mind was on the other fifteen things going on.
As everything piles up the first thing we need is strength to keep moving forward. Any forward movement is preferable than just sitting there doing nothing. I saw a shirt design that emphasized this point by saying, “crawling is acceptable, falling is acceptable, crying is acceptable, pain is acceptable, but quitting is not.”
We all can also seek a solution outside of ourselves and know that any help would be a blessing, but maybe we do not have any or we are too stubborn to ask. At other times our holes are so deep we can barely see the top, so we think that there is no hope for anything reaching us. We have to be able to look beyond where we are.
Even if we hit rock bottom the only place we can go is up and that’s where we need to start looking. No matter the situation, no matter how deep the hole, and no matter how strong the current, we can always call on the Lord. Yes, the Lord is always there and will hear you no matter where you are, but you have to be sincere. We too often want to make promises or even ask for a sign.
When we pray for strength, we have to be open for what form it will take and we can receive that strength as described in Psalm 18:1-2, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
The Lord can be our rock, our fortress, our shield, and our stronghold if you choose to let Him. He is always there, but we have to receive Him in Faith. We need to trust that He is there and will see us through whatever circumstances we are in. Life is tough, and we can all use a little help.
Once we have strength, we still may need guidance, but we have to listen as in Isaiah 30:21, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. We have to slow up enough to actually listen for what God is telling us, but we also have to be willing to follow what he says.
This can include things we may not want to do, go places we don’t want to go, and interact with people we would rather not. God is going to ask us to do our part. When we follow the path the Lord lays out before us, we will not only have Him with us as we make our way through any situation, but we will know a peace that can only come from the Lord.
We can receive the blessing in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” I have known the Lord’s peace in the middle of chaos. It was eerie the first time it happened. Going from the edge of a panic attack to sitting there as if there was no stress left to affect me.
When we find this peace and we let God help us, then no matter how huge the situation, we can still steer toward safety as in the opening scripture. Join me in following this simple game plan by asking the Lord for strength, then pausing to listen for His guidance, so we can enjoy a peace He can only provide us. Amen
FIND YOUR INNER PEACE
Floating on a gentle current can be a nice way to spend the day,
But the closer I get to the shoreline soon I am farther away.
Then the ripples of life also seem to push me off track,
Feeling I have no way to steer and no drive to get back.
Even the wind keeps changing sending me to places I don’t know,
Soon finding that I went the opposite of where I wished to go,
Lord, being adrift in the world is really no way to be,
Give me the strength to keep going and your guidance to me.
Dear child, you have immense strength hiding under your fears,
They have pushed you off course for far too many years.
When you ask for direction you have to listen for a route,
Then you must step off in faith and not hesitate in doubt.
Fore the longer you wait the greater chance you will stay lost,
And there is nothing you owe for I have already paid the cost.
You will find purpose and your endless meandering will cease,
When you remain focused on me and Find Your Inner Peace.
Simple Faith Christian
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Simple Faith Christian 