Confessions #46: I would sink

Life is tough. It is full of uncertainty, doubt, anxiety, and fears. I thought about this when I read my daughter’s post about being scared when she is hungry. Grace was expressing how scared and upset she gets. The time it takes for her to go from a little hungry to very hungry is very short, as short as a car ride from one place to another.

When I read about her worries, though, it makes me laugh. She complains by crying. If she does not get fed quickly enough she cries even louder, acting as if her initial complaints were never heard.

I know how worried she is about food, but I also know how silly it is. Not only are we fully aware of her hunger, but we have a plan to solve the problem before she ever cries. Actually, my wife does more of the problem solving than I do, but that is another topic.

Like Peter we see Jesus walking on water and our faith is made strong. We start to dream big and imagine doing the impossible. We take risk by getting out of the boat and stepping onto the water with our eyes focused on Jesus.

Eventually however, we become distracted. Our steady gaze on our Savior lessons and we start to notice everything else that is going on around us. Suddenly we turn around and see a giant wave that threatens to drown us.

And then we start to sink.

We do the same thing with God. Perhaps we are on top of our game and we head out in life getting things done. Then when life shows us how tough it is, we become preoccupied with our worries. Our fears overwhelm us. We face unemployment and a recession and taxes and difficult bosses and sick kids and a spouse with cancer and betrayal by a close friend and then suddenly we are overwhelmed.

God is with us, but all we can see are the huge waves that threaten to drown us. Sometimes we start to provide our own solutions to our problem. Sometimes we find ways to help us forget. Sometimes we just give up.

I was expressing worry about an issue at work recently to my pastor. I was being so preocuppied with a problem that it was dominating my thoughts.

“Jeremy, why are you afraid?”

“Well, this problem at work is a big deal. It could completely change my job. I might even have to look for a new job. I don’t know what to do.”

“Do you remember that he loves you?”

“My boss? It’s not that kind of problem.”

“No, Jesus.”

“Of course I remember. I sang the same songs in Sunday school as you did.”

“Then trust him. He has every hair on your head numbered. He loves you. He will not forsake you.”

When my daughter expresses her fears, we hear her cries. We count every tear that trickles down her plump cheeks. We have a plan for providing her exactly what she needs. Not only do we have a plan, but we have never failed in this.

I have never failed her because I love her.

Are there any fears threatening to overtake you?