She had been working out her salvation, step by step as she ventured through life. Step by step, each step bringing her into closer communion with the Lord. Sometimes the scenery would change as she walked in accordance with her calling in Him. Sometimes she was aware of His presence by her side as she experienced divine appointments with people and places that were designated to allow the light of Christ to shine through the vessel of her, sometimes beside her, sometimes in front of her encouraging on, sometimes behind her, allowing her to walk in His strength. She never knew what was around the next corner, she only knew that throughout whatever came her way, He was with her. Sometimes the scenery of where He was leading her filled her with fascination and delight as she recognized that her life was a walk of faith and there was no telling what would be around the next corner, but she had total confidence that He was with her, always…
Suddenly she felt a cold firm hand on the center of her back and a sudden push, caught by surprise she felt herself free falling and then total emersion into the cold dark current of fear and uncertainty. She began swirling round and around, her head periodically going under, she became disoriented and could feel the burning waters in her nostrils as the current dunked her head under time and time again.
“I’m drowning, and I don’t even know how I got here or what to do.” Was the thought that occurred to her as she coughed, gasped and tried to get her head above the situational waters, the dark waters of fear and terror finding every opening of her vessel to fill her with oppression. Within the dark waters swirling her around and around she could hear the cold voices of accusation mocking her.
“Stupid, stupid girl, you left the safety of what the world offered to venture off into unknown territory trusting your life to an invisible God and look at where it has led you… You left all rationality and reason to go on a mirage of a journey that you call faith. Where is your faith now? Look where it has led you, to your downfall and certain death.”
With every accusation her head was viciously dunked and her nostrils and ears and eyes and every crevice of her physical body filled as she was swirled and turned and carried downstream. The onslaught and disorientation of her situation was too much, her thoughts were in turmoil and as a matter of instinctive survival, she used the little bit of strength she had to push her head up through the surface and cry out:
“JESUS!”
The instant the words left her mouth, a flash of light filled the sky and with her open wet eyes she could suddenly see in a flash Jesus. His strong loving face assuredly looking down into her eyes as He reached His arm out to her, and she weakly extended hers to receive His firm and loving grasp. He rebuked the wind and the waves and commanded:
“QUIET, BE STILL!!!”
The waters instantaneously departed; the voices dissipated, all that remained was her lying prostate in Jesus’ strong protective arms. She sobbed with relief; her body trembled from the experience.
“Where were you? Why did you leave me?”
“I never left you; I told you I never would.”
He replied gently, turned her in His arms, taking His hands to smooth her wet hair off her forehead, cupping her face lovingly and gently with his hands.
“You turned your attention off of me and placed it onto your circumstance. I was speaking to you the whole time, but you could not hear me over the voice of fear.”
Her body began to relax, comforted by the soothing repetitive motion of his stroking her hair.
“I found myself disorientated… Caught by surprise by the circumstances… I didn’t see it coming. Over my head and caught unaware.”
She looked up at him ashamed.
“I was scared.”
As her eyes found His, she did not see condemnation, but compassion and He lifted her chin up so that she could look deep into His eyes as He spoke.
“You never need to feel ashamed of how you feel. Your feelings are indications and sometimes warnings to what you encounter. That fight or flight sensation you experience is a protective measure, a warning or red flag that the Father created within you for a purpose. Feelings serve a purpose, but they were not given to you for you to be led by them. They are to be put under the submission of faith; they have a rightful place. Have I not told you, that in the world you have tribulation? But take courage; I have overcome the world.” (See John 16:33) “The courage that you are to take, is found only in Me.”
Gently and swiftly, Jesus stood to His feet, extending a strong hand to her once again. With a reassuring smile and a wink of His eye he asked:
“Shall we continue on?”
She looked up to Him from her position on the ground and once again received His offer of help. As she received His grasp, He pulled her up. She rose and looked down at her feet. The situational waters were still there, but as she stood with Jesus, they were above them, the situation (though still existing) were below in submission to the will of God. As she stood above them, she realized that her foundation, in spite of the now calmed waters, was a firm authoritative foundation. Her legs were not wobbly but strengthened. She was no longer drenched in situational waters but filled with the strong light of Christ. She was renewed, stronger, and filled with determinization to see things through. Looking up at Jesus, she nodded her head.
“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.” (Psalm 18:33)
Holy Spirit gently whispered into her heart, familiar words that further strengthened her as she prepared to continue forward in her faith journey as she continued on her journey of faith once again, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit with her ALL the way…
Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Is Holy Spirit speaking to your heart through this word? If so, leave a comment below! I love hearing from you!
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