Matthew 14:28-31 "'Lord if it is you', Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on
the water'. 'Come', he said. Then Peter got out of the boat and walked on the
water to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink,
cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught
him. 'You of little faith', he said, 'why did you doubt?'" NIV
I have suffered on and off from depression since I was about ten years of age.
My depression is caused from a hereditary dietary problem; the two things go
hand in hand. I can be fine for days or weeks or months and then the darkness
descends, washing over me, its creeping fingers wrapping about my thoughts,
emotions and physical strength seeking to drown me in the depths of
discouragement and despair. There have been times, when under continual stress,
I needed medication to help me rise to the surface again; a remedy which I
believe comes from God who has blessed physicians with the wisdom to know when
to prescribe. Mostly however the Lord has taught me that when the waters of
darkness begin to flow I must simply cling to his hand of truth.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians: "So then, just as you received Christ
Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened
in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it
that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which
depends on human tradition and basic principles of this world rather than on
Christ." Col 2:6-8 NIV
Living in Christ Jesus as Lord, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the
faith, overflowing with thankfulness and not giving way to human traditions and
the basic principles of this world, is an everyday miracle. It is an everyday
miracle which allows me as well as everyone else who truly believes to walk upon
the waters amidst the storms of life no matter how rough or frightening they may
be.
This does not mean that when times of flood come that we will not struggle
against their tide. What it does mean is that we don't have to be drowned by the
struggle of our emotions, thoughts or circumstances. For when we reach out to
Christ Jesus as Lord, his hand is always there to pull us up out of the drink;
to allow us to experience the everyday miracle of walking by faith upon the seas
of life instead of sinking amidst them.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for the everyday miracle of life: being rooted and
established in Christ Jesus, strengthened in the faith, overflowing with
thanksgiving and not giving way to the deceptive philosophy which depends on
human tradition and basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Bless
us this day to continue in our faith that we may not sink but walk upon the seas
of life whatever they may bring our way. In Christ's name we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Atlin, B.C.
lynnephipps@hotmail.com
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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