Sink or Swim

Have you ever noticed how some people can stay afloat when engulfed in troubles and hardships, while others sink to the bottom? What sets the swimmers apart from the sinkers? From what I’ve seen, the biggest factor seems to be faith in God’s love. When those who understand how much God loves them find themselves in over their heads, they know He won’t let them drown. So, unlike those who don’t have such faith, they don’t wear themselves out struggling just to keep their heads above water—or worse, panic and go down all the quicker. Buoyed by their faith, the swimmers can concentrate their energy on getting to solid ground.

If you feel more like a sinker than a swimmer, you can get ready for the next sink-or-swim situation by strengthening your faith in God’s love. The scope and depth of that love are beyond our comprehension, but the Bible likens it to the love of a father for his children. “He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence him.” God doesn’t enjoy seeing you in trouble. He isn’t trying to make life hard for you. He is on your side and wants nothing more than to see you happy and fulfilled. That doesn’t mean He will never let you have problems, but when you find yourself in over your head, you can be sure He will be there for you. In fact, there is a verse in the Bible in which He promises that very thing: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.”

The first step in learning to swim is learning to float, and that starts with learning to relax and not fight the water. Put yourself in God’s hands, lie back, relax, and let Him support you. Practice in the shallows, and you will be ready for whatever the future may hold.

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Psalm 23:1-6 ESV – A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Psalm 91:1-5 ESV – He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.

1 Thessalonians 3:7 ASV – Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.