Relax In His Care

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of the deep waters.” ~Psalm 18:16

I have always loved the beach and the ocean. I love all the creatures of the sea, too, except for sharks and orcas. They really freak me out with the way they turn into killing machines.

I love the surf, the sand, and the shells. I have a great story about a Nautilus shell that I’ll tell you sometime. When I was younger, I would play in the surf letting the ocean throw me around, push me down, and lift me back up. I don’t go much deeper than my knees nowadays, especially if the sea is rough. I love the sea but I love my bones more. Over the years, God has used the sea to teach me things about life and I want to share one such lesson.

Body surfing was the thing to do in our family when at the beach. Body surfing is where you act like your body is a surfboard and you catch a wave, stretch your body out long and straight and ride the wave into shore. Waves are unpredictable and sometimes they might smack you down underwater, churn you around, and drag you along the broken shells on the sea floor. You might come up scratched, bruised or bleeding, but that’s the chance you take to maybe get a good ride.

I learned something about being in that chaotic, boiling brine under a wave. I learned that if you freak out, fight the wave by flailing your arms and legs or try to turn your body rightside up and stand you will definitely get hurt. However, if you relax and just let the water flow over you, let the sea roll you over, the turmoil will be over faster and you’re less likely to hurt yourself.

God reminded me of this lesson when I was struggling with panic and anxiety and he reminds me even now when a life event blindsides me and I start to scramble to deal with it or try to stop the inevitable. When I start flailing and fighting and hurting myself and others, blaming and asking God, “Why?” He reminds me to just relax, let the events and my emotions flow through and over me and try to rest in His care.

It will be over eventually, I’ll be able to catch my breath, and check my knees and elbows for scrapes which will heal with God’s help.

Lord, help us remember that even though life is chaotic, scary and unsure, you are always the same. We can trust you and we can relax in your care. Amen.