When I
was a little boy, my aunt and uncle took me to Lake Michigan. While some of my
cousins ventured far out into the waves, I played close to shore. Then my Uncle
Norm asked me, “Can you swim?” “No,” I admitted. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll
take you out there.” “But it’s too deep,” I protested. “Just hang on to me,” he
assured me. “Do you trust me?” Then I took his hand and we began to walk
farther out into the lake.
When my
feet couldn’t touch the bottom anymore, Uncle Norm held me up and reassured me,
“I’ve got you. I’ve got you.” Then finally he said, “Okay, let your feet down.
You can stand here.” I was afraid because I thought we were still in deep
water, but I trusted him and happily discovered that I was standing on a
sandbar.
Have you
ever been in so much despair that you felt as if you were sinking in deep
water? The difficulties of life can be oppressive. God doesn’t promise that we
will escape the turbulent seas of life, but He does promise, “I will never
leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).
We can
trust our faithful God to be there in all of our struggles. “When you pass
through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not
overflow you” (Isa. 43:2).
Before
your burden overcomes you, trust God to put His arms underneath you. (RBC)
