Do You Feel Like You’re Drowning?
It was my first year of church summer camp. I was tee-totally excited to be swimming in the pool with the older girls. They could flip and do amazing tricks from the diving board. The “doggy paddle” was the only swim technique I had ever known. Honeychild, I ain’t gonna’ lie, it still is!
Little by little, I would edge on just a little closer to the drop off at the deep end of the pool. A large splash made by one of the teenaged divers caused me to lose my footing. The water went right over my head and I slipped from the guardrail plummeting beneath all nine feet of water.
Paralyzed with fear, I began to panic and gasp for air. Thoughts of death began to creep into my mind as the water began to gush in through my nose and mouth. Struggling, I stretched out my arms, and was able to kick up to the surface long enough to scream out a loud cry for help. The lifeguard tossed me a life ring, and a counselor jumped in to save me. What an overwhelming sense of relief to feel the arms of my rescuer so tightly around my waist.
There have been times in my adult life when I was paralyzed by that same gripping fear. Life hit harder than I ever expected. I didn't know how I was going to make it, or come back up to the surface. How will we survive on one paycheck after I lost my job, how do I survive the doctor's diagnosis after finding a lump, how will I survive a crumbling marriage, the grief from the sudden death of a loved one? It was during those times that I felt as if I was drowning.
Our God did not give us a spirit of fear, but instead He has given us power, love, and a sound mind to overcome. There will be those days of rough waters, when you have to take a hold of God’s promises found in the Bible, reach out to the One true Lifesaver, call on His name, go to kicking with all that is in you, and find rest in knowing that your lifeguard walks on water!
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10
Publisher Note:
Beverly Weeks is an energetic, Jesus loving- “girl-next-door”. Her inspiring, transparent messages are seasoned with a little laughter, candid real life struggles, and filled with Biblical truths. Often times people who hear her speak say the same thing, “she’s just so real.” An evangelist at heart, she has a love for her audience that is fully evident both on and off stage.
Beverly is trained in Biblical Counseling, an ordained minister with the Acts2 Network, & Executive Director of Wayne Pregnancy Care Center. She’s been married for over 20 years to her best friend Rick, who had no idea what he was getting into when he asked her to marry him, bless his heart!
They reside in Goldsboro, N.C. along with their two children Tyler & Macy.
Hey Wait a second, who wrote this? I’m just a simple southern girl, TEE-TOTALLY in love with my Jesus! I love chocolate, peanut butter with bananas, Alfredo sauce, shopping, and consignment shops. Did I say I LOVE chocolate!
To learn more about Beverly, visit: www.intentionallyyours.org
