Sink, Swim, or Tread Water

 When people have asked how I'm doing, I have found myself saying, "I'm still kicking." I'm not exactly sure when that started, but I've been saying it for weeks now. It just happened. Last week, I thought about that phrase, and the thought of swimming came to mind.

I'm not a proficient swimmer. I was in the beginning class in college, but I do know how to survive in the pool. To go forward, you must kick. To tread water, you must kick, just not as hard. If you don't kick, you drown.

How in the world does that relate to you and me? Do you feel that there are great days, and you are making progress, going forward. Then, there are days you are simply treading water, surviving. We all have those days. However, whether we are swimming or treading, we must keep going. 

Whenever you feel like giving up, call out to Jesus. If all you can do is call His name, do it!!! I've been there. I'm still there. There are days when I can't express what I'm feeling, but He knows. I keep saying His name over and over again. 

Sheila Walsh, in her book, Praying Women: How to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say, taught me that. I had read Chapter 1, "Pray When You Don't Know What to Say," a week before I found myself driving on the interstate. The Evil One had put a dark thought in my head about my daughter and granddaughter being fine without me, and a panic attack started. I had no words but "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." And....the panic stopped.

"In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my GOD I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears." Psalm 18:6

Back to kicking...

Sometimes in our lives, we try to stay very busy. The busier we are the less we focus on whatever is hurting us or causing stress. Yet, God may need us to tread water for a moment. To listen. To be quiet. To be still.

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

If we are too busy, too loud, too overworked, too exhausted...., we can miss what God is trying to show us, tell us, whisper to us. Keep kicking, but tread water instead of trying to win the Olympic medal. I'm preaching to myself as much as trying to help others.

If you are like me, I don't like silence too often. To fill the void, I listen to praise and worship music in the car, the kitchen, the shower, my office, pretty much everywhere. God can use the music to help heal our hearts, to remind us that He is there. I challenge you to pick a Christian praise and worship station on Pandora, Spotify, or a local radio station (WDJC, B'ham). After a few days, you may start feeling differently. You might find yourself having a praise and worship session while washing dishes.

Thank you for reading. I pray that you choose swimming and treading over sinking. But...if you feel yourself sinking, cry out, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." 

From Sheila Walsh's Praying Women: How to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say, Chapter 2, Prayer Reminders:

Father, 

Thank You that You are waiting for me. My mind is busy. My thoughts take me in so many directions. Teach me to be still with You. Help me to know Your love. Help me to come to You like a child with empty hands before You. Fill my heart right now with Your presence. I will wait with You. In Jesus's name I pray, amen.    

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