Gasping for air.
Keeping head over water, and slipping under.
Muscles tightening, cramping, pulsating.
Struggling to the surface.
A drawing of breath again.
Relief!
Still hanging on.
Barely.
Blurred vision –
Seeing, yet not perceiving.
Surrounded, yet alone.
Afraid.
Crash! Roar! Again, and again.
Waves and wind; torrents.
Crash! Rolling and again.
Under (exhale), over (inhale).
Under (exhale), over (inhale).
Under… and under… and under…
Darkness.
The picture of drowning brings to mind the hymn “Count your blessings”:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost
Are you ever burdened with a load of care
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear
What leads to drowning
As with any ship, there is a progression that leads one to drowning:
Burdened with responsibilities
Taking on responsibilities is a good thing; it is a sign that we are counted “worthy” or capable of more things (see the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:21,23).
Some of these responsibilities result from the phase in life we are in (e.g. taking a loan, dating, getting married, having children, changing jobs, chasing achievements and attainment etc.).
And yet others are foisted on us when we may not expect it: workplace travel, projects, or promotions, ad-hoc projects or interest groups in school, illness or disability in the family, relationship issues in the home etc.
Regardless of how we get these responsibilities, we all can become burdened by them – even just thinking of a “to-do list” can seem daunting and insurmountable. Often, this manifests in symptoms such as cynicism, lack of energy, irritableness (especially with those closest to us), low concentration and focus, lack of sleep etc.
Engulfed by life’s cares, issues, temptations and sin
What happens when we are burdened? For some, it might mean talking with bosses, teachers, family, friends, coaches and therapists to manage the situation or seek advice. Or it might mean participating in activities to help one “de-stress” – a round of golf, a tennis game, walks in the park or at the beach, meditation, having a nice meal etc.
Yet for others, we might develop unhealthy coping mechanisms from being burdened:
Binging / overindulging in food, tv shows, computer games
Turning to alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling
Complaining, gossiping, backbiting, foul language
Our adversary is often counting on times when we are burdened to ensnare us in temptation and sin (1 Peter 5:8). Instead of relieving our burdens, the devil loads on the temptations and traps us in sin; leading to us being engulfed by burdens and temptation.
Sunken with difficulties, discouragement, despair
What happens when we are engulfed? When both burdens and temptation come together, it is very likely that we will succumb to sin and be brought down, by yielding its allure.
Perhaps it can be as Paul describes: “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.” (Romans 7:15)
The difficulty that Paul faces within himself
Doing what he doesn’t want to or hates doing
Not doing what he wants to
We see the struggle with sin, the discouragement it can produce, and finally, the despair and self-loathing that eventually arises. If left unchecked, this will sink us to the bottom, just as quickly as an anchor drops into the deep sea.
What to do when we are on the path towards drowning or feeling drowned?
Let us draw some lessons from the example of the Apostle Peter – when he felt he was going to sink into water after walking on it.
“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
(Matthew 14:30-31)
Cry out
Peter made known his distress and his situation. He did not hide it, nor did he try to conceal his position. He called for help.
How often have we kept silent about our needs and problems? How often have we shared them with others for the help that they can render? How often have we confessed our faults to God and to each other?
Turn to Jesus
Peter did not cry out to anyone else except Jesus. Although he was with the fellow disciples, he reached out to the one whom he knew would not fail him.
As the opening line from The Beatles’ hit song ‘Let it Be’ goes: “When I find myself in times of trouble…” How would we complete this sentence? Do we “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us”? Are we “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2)?
Have faith
We observe our Lord’s chastisement of Peter, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt”. Indeed, how true it is that often we sink because of the “little” faith that we possess. We are usually hit hardest when we have most neglected building up our faith in God, studying the word that He has given, working on our relationship with Him.
How often have we lost our faith in the power and might of our Lord who created the universe and all we see in it by His word? Have we neglected to build a relationship with our Lord, who values us far above the rest of creation (Matthew 10:29-31)?
Do you know someone who is drowning today?
I hope we can all “lend a hand to help a brother who is striving hard and true”. For those of us who have been through that valley ourselves, let us imitate Paul’s example that we see the opening of his second letter to the Corinthians:
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)