God Won't Let You Drown

08/26/22

So close you can see it, feel it, touch it, don't give up. God's got you, call out to Him, don't give in to the thoughts that were hidden, the words used to control you, tame you and train you. Reach for Him. He is there even in this storm, He is there.

Peter, the hard headed rebel of the group, the one who was the least likely to be someone people would believe as a faithful follower of God was the only one brave enough to say, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." When Jesus said, "Come," he stepped out of the boat and walked toward Jesus.

Can you imagine? I bet there were doubts swimming around in Peter's head, whispers from the darkness ... "This isn't possible, I can't walk on water! I'm not a good man, not like Jesus! I'm going to sink when these stormy winds knock me down..."

That fear, it was more powerful than what his eyes were seeing. That fear took root when he felt the wind and he allowed it to overtake him. He began to sink. He cried out ...

"Lord, save me!"

Have you ever cried out those words? Have you felt like you are in the middle of a dark and stormy sea? Have you been on the verge of freedom, ready to take that step into something new and unknown? But just before you make it, a metaphorical wind storm comes and knocks you down? Maybe you feel like you are drowning and can barely make it up for air.

The enemy doesn't want you to succeed. The devil doesn't like you! He doesn't want you to be a success story for God's love, mercy and grace. So, he will whisper thoughts in the wind, they will sound like your own voice, or the voice of anyone who ever made you feel like you aren't good enough. I'm here to tell you, don't give up! God will not let you drown when you call out to Him!

(Peter), When he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, Save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him... ~Matthew 14:30-31a.

I wonder if Peter, like so many of us didn't feel good enough, didn't believe he was worthy? Jesus even asks him, "Why did you doubt?"

Why do we doubt? We doubt our instincts, we doubt if we are good enough, we doubt that it's as bad as we often feel. We will even doubt that we are being treated in an intentionally cruel way. We doubt that we are worthy of the kind of love that we long to feel.

If you are at the bottom of that cold, dark and lonely sea, that is where God can pull you up. HE pulls us up. You cannot pull your abuser out of their darkness, only God can. Your life matters too. Sometimes the only way an abusive person will be saved is after they have hit rock bottom. You staying will never make the abuse stop! You can love them from a safe place, away from them you can still pray.

Allow Jesus to rescue you first. You can't save anyone while you are struggling to breathe. Stand firm in what is right, what is true, what is honorable and full of grace.

You can't save someone who enjoys watching you struggle to come up for air!

~You were never meant to be tamed child. I made you wild and free so that you would be brave enough to fight for Me. Soar above the dark abyss he meant to drown you in. He can't have you. You are Mine, that light inside you belongs to me and it will not be put out. Don't be afraid. Everything in it's time, one step at a time. You are loved.~

The meekness of wisdom is valuable. Meekness is not weakness! The illustration from the Bible of meekness is a wild horse that yields to its comanders will, but that horse is still strong!

*A message for one, or a message for many? That's not for me to know, it's in God's hands.

Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, your are mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned, nor will the flames scorch you. ~Isaiah 43:1-2