Good morning! There were many times when I worked outside where we would have to set up our ladders to work on equipment and troubleshoot issues. It was so important to make sure that we were on a level and solid surface. Sometimes though we just couldn’t help it – we would get the ladder as sturdy as possible and would have a person at the bottom that would ‘foot’ the ladder to steady it before we started climbing.
Without that person supporting the base of the ladder, it would be unstable and leave us in a potentially dangerous situation. When I first got the job many years ago, I was not comfortable climbing the ladder on the strand. It is basically putting your ladder on a wire and with each step you take, the top of the ladder is moving because of the weight of your body moving up the ladder.
Little by little, climbing began to be second nature to the point where you were comfortable on normal surfaces, but not all locations were the same and some would require the second person to ensure your safety.
The same is true in our lives. Some situations we can get through because they are straightforward; other situations require a second person to provide support to ensure you remain safe and stay on the path of righteousness.
Sometimes, that second person can be a family member, a friend, and even in some instances, a stranger. All it takes is an encouraging word, an honest truth, or an unexpected interaction to keep us focused on Jesus and what He desires for us.
In other occasions, the only person who can bring us peace and security is God Himself. There was a time a few years ago when this rang true in my life. And as wonderful as my wife is, there was really nothing (other than praying – which was huge) that she or anyone else could do to bring me peace.
All I could think about was a decision that I had to make that I felt was a lose/lose situation. No matter what I decided, I was going to hurt someone – and one thing about me that you should know (if you don’t already) is that I really hate disappointing people – especially myself.
I began to have trouble sleeping because my heart would be beating out of my chest, my joints started hurting – the anxiety I experienced got so bad that it took me out of work for a couple months. I felt so helpless, and a part of me was even more disappointed because I felt like if I was relying on God to be my peace and joy, then I would experience it – but I was trying to run to Jesus!
The book of Psalms became my go-to book of the Bible because I could totally relate to David and the other psalmists as they laid it all out there. God began to encourage me through many different psalms, but the one that continues to stick with me is the verse below:
“When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
Psalm 94:18-19
I felt like no matter what I was trying to do to gain traction to move past this decision, the anxiety, and the disappointment it would potentially bring, I kept struggling to gain ground. Day after day, I would continue to read and claim the promise in Isaiah 26:3.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3
Worship music has ALWAYS been my playlist for life and during this season it was no different. I would worship God in the midst of the anxiousness and allow Him to change my perspective through prayer. One day, I finally experienced the peace and rest of a good night’s sleep. I was so thankful to God for His peace that passes all understanding!
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7
In the end, I made it through that season of my life – but there are still moments where it tries to rise up again. Moments where the circumstances in my life try to steal my peace and joy. I continue to claim the promises of God over my life and allow Him to restore my confidence in who He is and what He has done and what He is STILL capable of doing. Remember, there is NOTHING impossible for God!
I am thankful for my wife and family members who were there to support me in that season, but truthfully, only God was able to provide what I needed. He is the true source of all things and that includes peace, joy, and rest. If you are in need of these things today, keep your thoughts focused on Jesus and He will supply what you need.
Heavenly Father, thank You for getting me through that difficult season in my life that didn’t make any sense. Thank You for always being available to us and providing exactly what we need. Help us to not allow our circumstances to dictate who You are, but allow You to dictate how we view our circumstances. In Jesus Name – AMEN!
Be Transformed 