The Ocean of Your Circumstance

A few years ago, while visiting family in Southern California, we decided to spend a day at the beach. The day of our excursion, we hopped through the hot, golden sand down to the water and dipped our feet in the cool, salty liquid. We splashed about in waves up to our knees for a bit, then slowly made our way farther in.

When I had waded in above my waist, a wave surprised me and caught me in its undertow. It submerged me and tossed me about like a ragdoll, dragging me to the shore. In the tumble, I lost all sense of balance and direction. I was unable to regain my footing. Disoriented, I had no choice but to allow the wave to roll me about like a yo-yo until it spit me out at the water’s edge.

When I hit the shore, I was a little scared, definitely panicked, and tearyeyed in shock when I realized hardly anyone around me was aware of my experience. My traumatic little roll in the ocean had gone mostly unnoticed. Though my husband saw and comforted me, no one else had seen my turmoil; life around me seemed to be going on as usual.

Sometimes for us, it is the same. We are overwhelmed in the waves of our difficulty, maybe even tragedy, and others are not always aware of the depth of our struggle, but there is One who sees and is always aware. Take a look at this portion of Psalm 61: “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.”

Today, you may be feeling engulfed and a little disoriented in the ocean of your circumstance. If so, cry out to the Lord; run to Him, let Him be your strong tower, and take refuge in the shelter of His wings.

–Katie Botello