At times of uncertainty it is easy for our fragile hearts to wonder if or when life will “feel better” or “get back to normal” again. These are some common goals I hear from clients wrestling with fear, anxiety and stress in their lives. In the recent days where the news about the spreading cases of people suffering from COVID-19 changes hour to hour and that news seems less than positive or calming, everyone is facing the need to adjust in some way or another.
Some face significant and unexpected challenges. Perhaps it is your loved one who is diagnosed and suddenly is on a ventilator fighting for life, or you have been furloughed from your family’s only income source. Truth: whatever challenges you face, there is a way to move forward and through.
In recent weeks, my family has been tuning in to the Mariner’s Church in California for their online worship services in an effort to provide some normalcy for our college son, who now learns and studies remotely from his bedroom — no longer in California at the school he has come to love. The church has presented messages on the Psalms each week, and this past week’s message reflected truths from Psalm 121. In this Psalm, we are reminded that God is our source of help. He is the one who watches over us and does not slumber. He is the one who stands beside us all the days of our lives. He is a promise-keeping God who can be trusted.
I was struck by a story told in this message I had not heard before, the story told about an incredible swimmer, Florence Chadwick, who, in July of 1952, attempted to swim the 26-mile channel between the California coast and Catalina Island. This is not an easy swim for anyone, and the swimmer faced many challenges. Within one mile of the shore she was hoping to reach, a heavy fog set in, and she could no longer see the shoreline. Exhausted, after nearly 16 hours of swimming and not able to see that she was within one-half mile to accomplishing her goal, Florence gave up and requested to be brought into the boat navigating nearby. Brian Cavanaugh, in A Fresh Packet of Sower’s Seeds, noted that she told a reporter, “Look, I’m not excusing myself, but if I could have seen land I know I could have made it.”
Two months later she tried again, and this time Florence Chadwick not only reached her goal, but she also crushed the best men’s time by 2 hours. Why was this time different? What did she do differently to successfully arrive at her destination? According to historical sources, the challenges were no different. The same dense fog set in as Florence made the treacherous journey. But this time, Florence held on to a mental picture of the shoreline. She knew it was there. It was true and real. She reminded herself of that she knew to be true. “After 13 hours, 47 minutes, and 55 seconds, she reached the California shore, breaking a 27-year-old record by more than two hours and becoming the first woman ever to complete the swim.” (https://www.queenofthechannel.com/florence-chadwick)
In times like these, it is easy to focus on the fog and the uncertainty. Sometimes in life we become exhausted from the endless swim and the shoreline seems too far away. We can surrender and feel like giving up – because we have no idea how near the shore we really. The hope, however, is that God sees exactly where the shoreline is, and in His strength as we trust in Him and persevere taking one stroke at a time, He guides us to the shore. The shore ultimately is the gift of heaven for followers of Jesus. But scripture also tells us that the Lord leads us to rest in “green meadows” (Psalm 23:2) and He “renews my strength. He guides me along right paths” (Psalm 23:3). I believe that God provides strength and rest THROUGH the journey. God is actively standing beside us, and it is God’s presence that allows me to not live in fear (Psalm 23:4) and keep swimming. Dory, in the Disney movie Finding Nemo, illustrates the power of perseverance well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azZxwhNkQaI
Do you need to be encouraged today? Are you struggling with fear as the shoreline is clouded by dense fog? Be encouraged that you are not forgotten but seen and cared for by the good Shepherd, by the God who never slumbers or sleeps, who always watches over you (Psalm 121:5). Look to the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth! (Psalm 121:2)
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed and would like to talk with a therapist, contact Renew at (602) 633- 4032.
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