Oceans

A few weeks ago, I went to the beach with a couple of my girlfriends. It was such a refreshing time spent in beautiful fellowship! After sunbathing for a little bit, we decided to go down to the water. Of course, New England oceans are wicked cold so my friends did not have an interest in going in further than ankle deep in the ocean. I laughed, "I really want to go fully under". One of my friends, Lindsay, said "No one is stopping you, go for it!". I ran into the ocean and came back a couple times to the sand before fully immersing myself because of the chill of the water.

Although the initial impact was refreshing because of the 90 degree weather that day, it was hard to breathe in the freezing water after going fully under. I can relate it only to the overwhelming feeling in life when I can not seem to keep pushing any harder... When the waves of life crash on me so hard, each wave only gives me a short moment before the next one crashes over me bigger and more powerful than the one before. If I am being honest, I have felt this hard core over the past couple of weeks. I feel as though by the time I catch a breath, I am right back at the beginning, overwhelmed. This overwhelming state has been so real to me! It has exhausted me!

It is so hard to be encouraged in a time of overwhelming stress over just about anything. You are so busy trying to breathe that it is hard to continue in a perspective focused on the end game. It is so much easier to be tempted to give up the fight. To let the waves consume you. To just give up. But, I know I am capable of so much more and so are you. We are capable of freedom and peace because we have a hope that consumes us with life! We have access to a power that raised Jesus Christ from the grave!

There is no telling how long I will feel that I can not breathe or continue to handle the stress that I am under but one thing is for sure: God hears my cries! He will provide rest! He will give me peace! He will strengthen me in this season and use it for His glory! Because He is the loving author of it all!

Psalm 61

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,for you have been my refuge,

a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

When the waves of life crash down upon your life, I want to challenge you to take Psalm 61 and let it be your cry to God! Cry out to Him and He alone will give you rest! Cry out to Him because no one understands you and how you are wired more than God Himself! Let God be the rock between you and the waves crashing down around you. Let Him be your refuge!