It’s summer, so let’s talk about swimming. Can you swim? Were you self-taught, or did you take lessons? I took lessons as a child, but did not become a swimmer. As patient as I remember my instructor, they did not have the formula I needed to master floating. Probably anxiety-related, I could not trust or relax, and so there was no buoyancy.

Soon after, I moved away from that community pool to a landlocked state that was less known for pools and more for creeks and ponds. A faint memory, someone else’s community pool membership card, found me a time or two, anchored to the side of the pool, never moving out into the water.

Buoyancy is the ability or tendency of something to float in water or other fluid. The definition closer to application is a cheerful and optimistic attitude or disposition.

When life throws challenges our way, sometimes we don’t want to face the truth that we can’t swim, and our coping skills are stretched to the max. That is how it is if you are fighting with fear and anxiety. Buoyancy is snatched like Pac-Man eating the yellow dots.

Your faith in God seems irrelevant if you don’t have the spiritual tools to fight. Even though that’s a lie (because God does not change like our fluid feelings), the negative feelings stick to the lie. The lie takes first place in your mind, and you feel miserable. You are sinking. No buoyancy. Until things settle down, you are emotionally drowning. We were never meant to live in a heightened emotional state.

But some of you live or have lived in a heightened state of alert for much of your life or a long season. For some, it’s your signature emotion, and you’ve accepted it. The enemy wants you to believe you are losing, all alone, and incapable of swimming.

Some years ago, a group called Mikeschair sang a song entitled “Let The Waters Rise”. The timing of their song was perfect for me as I was working through some ground-level anxiety. If you are struggling with fear or anxiety today, you might find comfort in their words and music below. Listen here https://youtu.be/3rm5U4wb85g?si=zm0AOysGgplT8SXu

Don’t know where to begin, it’s like my world’s caving in

And I try, but I can’t control by fear, where do I go from here?

Sometimes, it’s so hard to pray, you feel so far away.

I am willing to go where you want me to, God I trust

There’s a raging sea, right in front of me, wants to pull be in, bring me to my knees.

so let the waters rise, if you want them to, I will follow you, I will follow you.

I will swim in the deep, ‘cause you’re right next to me.

You’re in the eye of the storm and the calm of the sea, you’re never out of reach.

God you know where I’ve been, you were there with me then, you were faithful before, you’ll be faithful again, I’m holding your hand.

God your love is enough, you will pull me through, I’m holding on to you.

God your love is enough, I will follow you.

What are you facing today? Are you overwhelmed due to a sudden switch in your plans? Are you in a long transition that seems to have no resolution? Maybe you don’t know, but still you experience fear or anxiety, and life is unpleasant or miserable.

Know you are not alone. There are others. Just today, I heard a male speaker share vulnerably that he’d had bouts of anxiety for the last number of weeks. He decided to go to his therapist. Years ago, I went to a Christian counselor, and it was helpful.

But later, the most remarkable healing came when I began to trust God’s Word and believe what I read in scripture. I staked my life on what I read, and I staked my life on the fact that God, through Jesus His Son, had saved my soul. I believed I was secure in Him and that He was the only One who could get me past my crisis! And I decided to let His Word heal me. Many articles about scripture use are on this site. Use the search box to find some encouragement.

If you are a Christian, then try these tips:

-Keep up your regular spiritual disciplines or start them, no matter how you feel.

Know that even if you feel miserable, your spiritual roots are likely growing deeper because growth happens in suffering.

-Remember He is faithful and He never leaves you.

-Be intentional in turning to the truth about who you are in Christ.

-Thank the Lord for His presence and talk honestly to Him in prayer.

Sometimes, it feels like He is forcing you to face everything at once, walk on water, take off the floaties, and dive in. Whatever is going on, sometimes the Lord invites you to go swimming on the deep end. Find comfort that you are not alone because the Bible tells us not to believe the lies of the enemy.

I Peter 5:9 – Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

Isaiah 42:3 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you.”
‭‭Anxiety and fear present an opportunity to put all your hope in God. They can serve as an invitation to trust in the Lord more than ever before. Saying yes to Jesus, no matter how you feel, is the best way to step into freedom; to go swimming with Jesus without the floaties and dive in. Know that Jesus is there, calling you to His outstretched arm, away from the safe side of the pool. He is worthy of your trust~ Happy swimming!
©Valerie Rumfelt

Encourage Someone~

SHARE IT!