by Daneille Gray Snowden
Recently as my children were listening to Adventures in Odyssey; good old Whit was asking one of his prodigy's if she was, "Controlling God out of her sense of panic?" Perhaps children received a portion of what Whit was trying to convey. But, I sure can tell you that for me, it was one of those 2x4 slams on the noggin!
Ah the topic of Panic brings us to the different types of crises' we have faced in our lives. Panic is a SUDDEN overwhelming fear. From it comes irrational behavior, and sometimes spreads to many others as well. I am one that has difficulty with most surprises. I like to know what to expect and when. How about my readers; are you like I am and want all your ducks lined in a perfect row? I like it when life flows smoothly.
This reminds me, almost a couple of years ago my family and I joined another to go rafting. I haven't been in years. Though I have always been a strong swimmer and was once a life guard; what I experienced that day took me to a place mentally and physically I just couldn't handle. I was the only one in a round raft (more of those real thin cheaper ones) - as the waters started to flow a bit faster I started going around and around. Of course I wasn't too thrilled about it but chose to deal with it...UNTIL: the major currents came! I happened to look at my then 12 year old daughter and discovered her raft was deflating as she began to sink, causing my heart to POUND! We finally got her situated, when my raft started spinning in circles constantly and I was finding a great deal of the jagged rocks along the way. I was not in control. We decided to tie my mini dinghy to my husband's nice big little boat raft; that is when panic had it's way. He would go one way and I another. Large peering rocks seemingly popped up and came between us countless times. One time I was floating backwards when my husband (who never screams) screams; "duck". Come to find out there was a copperhead right above mine! PANIC! Irrational behavior poured from within my in most being!!!
I did survive; I cut myself loose from my husband and got out at the first boat ramp I could find. Of course my legs were shaking so much I fell strait back and hit my head pretty bad.
When life currents suddenly spins us; this is not the time to make life altering decisions. Yes, it is a time to cry out to Jesus as Peter did during the storm that threatened all the disciples lives. What was the response of our Lord towards Peter; when he started to PANIC? Let's read:
Matthew 14:24-32
But the boat was by this time out on the sea, many furlongs [a furlong is one-eighth of a mile] distant from the land, beaten and tossed by the waves, for the wind was against them.
25 And in the fourth watch [between 3:00—6:00 a.m.] of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright.
27 But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I Am! Stop being afraid!
28 And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.
29 He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.
30 But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]!
31 Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Our Lord's response first and foremost is compassion revealing His wondrous Love! He did not hesitate when Peter decided to focus more on the storm to not only reach out His hand but hold him close.
Too many of God's children make crucial decisions in the time of crises. Because panic has tormented them; fear being in control- life altering decisions are made that can take us down a path of confusion and dismay.
We know that a storm could come at anytime as it did on the Sea of Galilee. "The Sea of Galilee is small, and these winds may descend directly to the center of the lake with violent results. When the contrasting air masses meet, a storm can arise quickly and without warning. Small boats caught out on the sea are in immediate danger." [http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/ednk-seaofgalilee.html]
Is it possible right now that you are facing danger, the torrents are all around? Oh please know that by all means that JESUS is right there in the midst of it all. He will hold You; He will calm the seas. May I encourage you right now, if you are facing a time be it a financial storm, emotional, marital, something with your children. Be Still and Know Than He is God! (Ps. 46:10) When we know Him we come into Him--safe from the Gales that blow!
In this; ask God to help you as I do for myself to NOT try to control Him out of our sense of panic. He has everything under control (if we let Him).
Good words, Daneille. I enjoyed reading this.
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