Around this time about 8 years ago I was involved in a swimming competition. From what I can reconstruct from the story, it was a sunny and bright day, myself and my team members were preparing for a relay race in an outdoor pool. So 13 year old me ( I think) eager to show everyone that I had reached the 25m milestone in swim school put myself forward and It was decided that I will be the second leg. It seemed pretty straightforward to me; my teammate that took the first leg swam towards the deep end where I was waiting to dive in. I had never been taught how to dive in but hadn’t told anyone, it couldn’t be that difficult right? As my teammate reached me, I instantly did what I perceived was diving and entered the water. And that’s all I remember properly, probably a few moments later I felt a tight grip around my waist as I was hauled out of the water. The designated lifeguard had come to my rescue & thankfully I’m here to testify years after the incident. 

Think about your worst day ever. One of my apparent worst days was when  I was on holiday in Nigeria and my iPhone was stolen from me. I remember screaming and crying for hours. The type of crying that you get snot coming out of your nose. I was very UPSET and ANGRY. I also remember being extremely scared to tell my parents because of how they would take it. So I ask you again up to this moment what has been your “worst day”? That one thing you thought will finish you or that you wouldn’t be able to get past… Did it end you? Clearly not, you’re here reading this blog post. That is just to show that your worst days are just one of many bad days that’ll come and go. Those 24 hours will come to an expected end. Whilst in the midst of that day you probably couldn’t imagine ever getting past it but let me assure you that you will and you can live beyond your worst days! Trust me whilst I was crying my eyes out over the tragic loss of my phone I didn’t think I would be able to move forward from there, but here I am over 5 years after. Alive and kicking with an iPhone SE (smashed up screen but you get the point). Plus my parents didn’t even take the news as badly as I had perceived.

Okay, the example of the phone may seem quite meniscal but we tend to do the same thing about other things in life.  Maybe it’s a failed assignment, poor grades, unpaid/overdue bills, doctors health report, failed or failing marriage, an unfaithful spouse, disloyal friends, pathological liars, betrayed trust, wayward children, unemployment … we lament and cry over it instead of remaining focused on the one who holds our future in his hands. 

God says in Isaiah 43:2; When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

Let’s dissect this verse

1. Trails are inevitable 

• Note the verse says when you pass through the waters, it doesn’t say if which suggests you may go through waters. So they are bound to come. It’s as though when we signed up to be Christians we also signed a waiver – Hey Devil hit me with your best shot.

1. You will Walk through the fire.

• I don’t know about you but if you had to go through danger wouldn’t you run through it. The last thing you want to do is take a stroll. But here we are told you’ll go through the fire as though you weren’t in a hurry, you aren’t bothered or aware of the fact that doing so may get you burnt. It’s only someone that is anxious and scared that will want to run through the fire. This will not be your portion In Jesus Name.

3. Nothing is New

• The metaphors used have already happened; at the Red Sea (the Israelites passed through the waters) and then the 3 Hebrew boys were thrown into the fiery furnace and they weren’t burnt
• God has already exhibited that he can do what seems impossible to the human eye and mind, it wouldn’t make much sense to ignore this and distance ourselves from such miracles. We should claim these promises in Faith that If he did it before He is more than able to do it again. (Check out my post: If He did it before. He can do it Again if you’re interested in this topic)

As I’ve mentioned above trials and tribulations are inevitable in our walk with God, it’s as though we have a bullseye target on our backs. However, when we go through rivers of difficulty there are 2 possible outcomes; we either drown or we are forced to grow stronger. If you go on your own strength, you are more likely to drown. If you invite the Lord to go with you, he will protect you. If it “appears” as though you are drowning like I almost did Remember your lifeguard walks on water and He is ready to haul you out.

Think about your equivalent to my stolen phone example (it could be something of similar or greater severity). That circumstance that threatens to overwhelm you, drown you or burn you. As you think about it make this declaration:

When I pass through the waters, God will be with me. And through the rivers, they will not overflow me. When I walk through the fire, I will not be burned, the flame will not scorch me. My clothes will not even smell as though I have been through the flames. I will not look like what I have been through.

Key Undiluted points to take away:

1. Bad days don’t last forever. Search for the silver lining in a seemingly disastrous day or circumstance.
2. God can immensely bless you through the “bad” circumstances you are in. I say bad in quotation marks because it wasn’t intended to be a bad thing. Change your perspective and instead of asking “why me?” ask “How is God going to bless me?, What does God want me to gain from this experience?”
3. The bad days will come but when they come remember your lifeguard (Jesus) walks on water and He will always come through on your behalf.

 

Stay blessed,

Dara x

P.S – Listen to the song Oceans by Hillsong, I believe it gives a really good summary of the topic discussed. Stay tuned for more blog posts.