The depth of hurt and pain is hard to bear. How does one process the pain so deep below the surface? When the pain releases from the depths and makes its way to the surface, it is like trying to hold a beach ball under the water. The harder we struggle, the harder we kick those around us.
The issue is, we will never be heavy enough to keep the ball submerged. Each year the ball fills with more air, and it becomes more challenging than the previous year to stay on top of the pain. One day the ball pops, and we begin to drown. We spent too many years fighting to keep that ball down that we had forgotten how to swim. Our only hope is that Jesus reaches out and grabs our hand.
He holds our head above water. He is gracious while he teaches us to swim once again like we did when we were innocent kids. That was the last time we rested in his arms. Safe and sound.
Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Nos & Rehtaf, Dnabsuh 