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Faith Focus: Drowning

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 15:13

Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning.

This isn’t a great thing considering that drowning is undoubtedly my biggest fear. In fact, at 21 years old, I’ve yet to jump off even the kiddie-sized diving board.

As a college senior and overcommitted perfectionist with no idea what stands on the other side of that graduation stage, I have these drowning moments far too often. It’s like I can’t breathe.

The pressures and schedules and expectations and uncertainties overwhelm my soul, and I can’t see the sky. Fears of inadequacy and failure dominate my thoughts as I flail around searching desperately for solid ground.

What if I’m not enough? What if I get it wrong? What if I can’t do it?

It’s here God whispers gently, “Child, look around you. I am here. Breathe deep, for I am your solid ground. I give you the air you breathe. Trust me.”

But how can I trust what I can’t see? An invisible life raft is not exactly top of the wish list when you’re drowning.

Then again, maybe it’s not so invisible.

The sunrise peeking over the trees when I open my apartment door every morning. The smiles from strangers as I walk to class. The comfort of clean sheets when I finally go to bed.

Yes, God is good. He is good and He will continue to be good because He is also abundantly faithful.

As Christians, we have no place for fear or insecurity because Christ nailed every fear and every worry to the cross, leaving only hope. No matter the length of our to-do lists or the depth of our fears, God has given us a life to live. He calls us to live it abundantly in joy and peace.

My prayer, like Paul’s, is that we would rejoice in The Lord now, trusting in His perfect provision for tomorrow.

Elizabeth Arnold is a senior at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She was an intern in the Buckner communications department for two summers in a row.

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