It seems like many people are drowning in many things today. We could be drowning in fear, anger, hopelessness, the list could go on. And what is the reason for this? Is it news? Is it the words that we hear coming from those around us? It is surely not the Word of God that is giving us these feelings.

I have found in this last year more than ever that it is imperative that we read and understand God’s word more than ever. If we are being influenced by the news, politics or any part of this world’s system, then we have missed the point of following God.

So how do we stop from drowning in these things? How do I get my head back above water? That is an easy answer, but the process may not be as easy. The answer is turn off what is making you anxious, angry, fearful or otherwise not well. If it is a person and their words, stop listening. Many people have said similar statements, but your ears are not a garbage can for people to dump their garbage on you.

Psalm 55:23 in the Complete Jewish Bible Says, “Unload your burden on Adonai, he will sustain you. He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

In 1 Peter 5 (New King James Version), Paul is writing to Peter and talking about Submitting to God and resisting the devil. Verses 6 and 7 say, “Therefore humble yourselves under the might hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Philippians 4:6-7 (New King James Version), Paul is writing to the Philippian church about Prayer and he says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.

If we believe these scriptures and are behaving accordingly, then when fear and anxiety come upon us, we go to praying and fighting our battle as if we believed. We have been reassured that God will not permit us to be moved or shaken. God will sustain us, He will uphold us in the right hand of his righteousness if we will go to Him. If we will roll all of our cares over on Him and trust Him.

Maybe you are drowning in the world’s system because you have trust issues with people around and you are treating God like he is a mere mortal. God will not let you down or abandon you in a time of trouble. We may need to look back and see God’s perspective on different situations, but He is trustworthy. In the midst of a challenging time, we are not aware of what God kept us from going through. We are not aware of what He saved us from because many times there could have been a much higher cost than what we paid if God had not intervened.

I want to challenge you to identify what is drowning you in this world. What is holding you down and keeping you from the success, healing or restoration you are seeking? Once you have identified it, take it to God in prayer. Roll the care of that situation over on God. Let God know that you are placing  the situation in His mighty and capable hands and will wait for His answer and solution. Begin to confess what His word says about your situation. If you are in need of peace, find scriptures that speak about God granting you peace in the midst of the storm. If it is direction in life that you need, find scriptures where God says that He has given us wisdom, or that you follow the voice of the Good Shepherd and the voice of a stranger you do not even listen to. You get the point..

The more we mentally dwell on the challenges and talk to others about them, the bigger they become in our minds. But we should choose to encourage our own faith in what God has done for us, His love, His provision, that fact that He loved us enough to send Jesus to redeem us for an eternity of suffering. God values you so much that the highest price that could be paid, was paid. Believe what God has said and disregard what any other voice says and you will begin seeing the waters recede, the challenges will seem smaller but it is God that has become bigger than your situation.

As men and leadesr, there are people relying on us to show that strength and courage. If we do not have it, we can only show an insecure front.

I hope this post challenges you to take another step towards God and to stop running from Him every time a challenge comes along. Be like David and run to the battle, not from it!