Ever feel like you’re drowning? Like it’s just too much? Like the world around you is a raging sea and you just keep getting tossed from one wave to another? Always unsettled? Always on the run? Always late for something or behind on something? Always overwhelmed?
If so, JOIN THE CLUB! Believe me, I know how you feel and I often find myself in a similar state. Too many things going on at the same time and not enough time or energy to do a quality job with each of them.
“I gotta start working out…And I need to find time to fix some stuff around the house…Oh and my kid needs help with his homework…And I forgot to read my Bible today…And there’s a meeting in church tomorrow…”
TOO MUCH!!!
If you share those same feelings, then I think you can find comfort in knowing that you are not alone. I know someone who can give you great comfort in your time of stress.
He lived thousands of years ago in a far away country in the Middle East, but somehow, I think he can relate very well to many of us today.
His name is King David. He was anointed as King of Israel, but before he was able to take his seat on the throne, he spent several years running for his life. The previous king, Saul, wasn’t ready to give up his seat on the throne just yet. He chased David for years, trying to kill him. Because of that, David spent several years running for his life, not knowing what turn he will take next. He was often confused, alone, sad, in despair, lonely… feeling like he had nowhere to turn for help. His whole life was up in the air and he didn’t know what would happen next.
It was in that state, that he wrote the following:
“When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me.” Psalm 56:9
King David knew that no matter what happened to him, as long as God was for him – or on his side – then nothing and no one could defeat him. He knew that there may be suffering/uncertainty for a time, but in the end, he will be victorious because God was on his side.
What a feeling! What a feeling to know that God, the Creator of the universe, the Almighty and All-Knowing God is ON MY SIDE!
What could be better? As the expression goes, “it’s good to have friends in high places.” God is the ULTIMATE “friend in high places”. And King David assures me that as long as I cry out to Him, my enemies will turn back. How do I know this for sure? This I know, because GOD IS FOR ME!
Have you learned to cry out to God when life is overwhelming? Have you learned to call out His Name when you are lost or confused? Have you learned to turn to Him before turning to anyone or anything else in this crazy world that we live in?
I read a nice quote the other day about crying to God when we’re overwhelmed. It said:
“When you’re drowning, you don’t say ‘I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me.’ YOU JUST SCREAM!”
This life that we live now is never settled or calm; every day seems to bring more uncertainty and more craziness than the one before. Where do we turn in that situation? Where do we turn for guidance/comfort/help?
I am thankful that, in the midst of this crazy world, God is the one constant. He never changes and He never loses. He always wins. Remember that you have a Friend in high places. And, as St. Paul says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31.
How does it make you feel knowing that you have such a Friend in high places?
Fr. Anthony Messeh