There are moments in our lives when our circumstances feel as though they’re going to drown us.

The Psalmist cries out “I have come into deep waters: the floods engulf me” (Psalm 69:2b). His prayer reminds me of Ezekiel 47, where God leads Ezekiel into the river.
First Ezekiel is ankle deep (47:3)—when we’re ankle deep life feels certain and calm.
Then God leads Ezekiel into knee-deep water (47:4)—when we’re knee deep, life feels under our control.
Then God leads Ezekiel into water that is waist deep (47:4b)—when we’re waist deep, life feels exciting.
Finally, God leads Ezekiel in over his head, where the river was so deep no one could cross (47:5)—when we’re in
over our head, we become desperate for God.

When you feel like you’re in over your head—when the pressure is so great you feel like you’re drowning—where is God? He is right there with you, leading you step by step into the water. So how do you keep from going under?

Here are 3 truths to remember the next time you feel like you’re drowning:

When you’re in over your head, self-reliance is stripped away.
It’s so easy to rely on our own strength for wisdom, fruitfulness, and direction, but when you feel like you’re drowning you are forced to look to God for wisdom. We have not even begun to delve into the full depth of the wisdom of God. As the Apostle Paul writes, “His judgments are unsearchable and His paths are beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33).The amazing thing is that God promises to give His wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5). When you’re in over your head, ask God for wisdom and praise Him in advance for the wisdom He will give.

When you’re in over your head, security comes from clinging to God.
The Psalmist writes, “I cling to you; your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:8). When our kids were tiny, Steve would take them into the waves at the beach. Their tiny arms would cling around Steve’s neck as together father and child would jump the waves. I have often gone back to that picture in my mind when I feel like I’m in over my head. I imagine myself clinging to my Abba Father. The best part is, even if I lose my grip, He doesn’t lose His! He will hold me tight as we jump life’s waves together.

When you’re in over your head, Spirit-filled fruit replaces human effort.
After God led Ezekiel in over his head, He led him to the bank of the river, where there were a great number of fruitful trees and fish. And then the Lord told Ezekiel that “the fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing”(47:6-12). What a beautiful promise! God won’t waste our pain. If we will rely on the Holy Spirit when we feel in over our head, out of our lives will flow fruit and healing for many.

Where’s Becky?

I am home for a few more days and then I leave to celebrate my 40^th wedding anniversary with Steve!

How You Can Pray

Pray for Steve as he leads Reach Beyond.

Pray for me as I write and book speaking for 2020.