The Pool of Pain (Oct 3, 1999)
Jesus said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in
me" (John 14:1).
I was reading through my Bible one day when I came across this scripture.
When I first read it, it was like Jesus was saying to me, "Russ, don't
worry. Don't let your heart be troubled." And then he explained how:
"Trust in God, and trust in me."
When my son was just one year old, my wife enrolled him in his first
swimming lesson. He couldn't walk. He could barely crawl. But after two
weeks of swimming lessons, he could hold his breath and swim. I was amazed!
One thing, in particular, caught my eye: it was the way he trusted us.
When we called him to come to us in the water, he swam knowing we would not
let him sink. It was so amazing. There was no fear, because he trusted us.
I believe God wants us to trust him like that. We may feel like we are
sinking and drowning, headed right to the bottom. We try to swim on our
own. We splash. We kick. We fight for air. Yet, in the midst of the
chaos, our Father's hands are reaching down to pull us up--to save us.
Why does our Father let us sink sometimes? Why does he take us into the
pool of pain?
We wanted our son to know how to swim so that he could enjoy the water
instead of fear it. Today, at four years old, he swims like a fish. He
doesn't fear the water--he respects it. I think God wants us to learn that
tough times will come. Painful experiences will happen. But, if we cry out
to him to save us, then he will not let us drown when our trust is in him.
Prayer: Father, I pray that our hearts will be filled with confidence in
you. May our courage be strong. May we learn to trust you in everything,
so that your peace will rule and reign in our hearts. And for those times
when we feel like we are drowning, I pray that you'll reach down from heaven
and lift us up. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Blessings!
Russell
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| Russell Pond <><
| Season of Peace
| email:  ponder@season.org
| web: http://www.season.org
© Russell Pond 1999
Reprinted with permission
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