Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
When I was a kid, cartoons taught me that the greatest fear in life was going to be sinking into a pit of quicksand. Now, I haven't run into any quicksand, but as I've grown older, I have realized that there are these metaphorical pits of quicksand that I can find myself sinking into - things like fear of the future, things like sinking under the weight of responsibility, wondering how am I going to care for my family well, love my friends, or do well in life?
All of these sinking feelings can draw us into this place of despair. For most of us, we can probably relate to that sinking feeling of just being overwhelmed by life. That oftentimes leaves us wondering, where do I go from here? Just like quicksand, the more you struggle, maybe the more it feels like you're being pulled under, barely able to hold your breath.
My hope is that our verse today helps encourage you through these seasons. It comes from Psalm chapter 143, verse 10. David writes, "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing." David wrote this verse during a time of great distress, going through a season of sinking under that metaphorical quicksand. His response here reminds us of some very important truths on how to navigate this and how to be pulled up out of the quicksand of life.
Be Open to Learning
First, he tells us to be open to learning. He says, "Lord, teach me." When I'm stressed, learning is probably the last thing on my to-do list. If anything, I'm probably more averse to listening to other people's advice and sometimes even listening to the voice of God because it just feels like there's so many thoughts rattling around in my brain. I think, if I could just shut all of those out and wait for my problems to be over, I'll be better for it.
We've all tried that, and we probably have all seen how that doesn't usually work out in our favor. If we want our circumstances to change, and if we want to grow through that, it requires us to be open to learning from God how to navigate out of that season. We need to be open to learning.
Reorient Your Perspective on God
Next, David reminds us to reorient our perspective on God. He says, "for you are my God." When I have problems in my life, they seem like the biggest thing possible. Oftentimes they cloud my judgment of what really is going on in life, and we start to think that our problems are bigger than God. The reality is they're just closer to the front of our face and it's blocking out our view of Him.
When we're going through times of distress, we need to set our perspective back to remember that God is bigger than anything we face. He holds the universe in the spans of His hands. He created everything. He knows all the stars by name. The hairs on your head are numbered. There's no problem that can overcome a God like that. So, we reorient our perspective.
Be Receptive to the Spirit
Next, David reminds us to be receptive to the spirit. He says, "May Your gracious Spirit lead me." When we get anxious, it's an inward response to things that are going on outside or around us. Oftentimes we'll say, well, when my circumstances change, then I will feel a sense of inner peace. Friends, we don't work like that.
We have the Spirit in us who is working inwardly, first and foremost, who says, "I want to bring you a peace that surpasses understanding" - not necessarily for your situation to change before you experience that, but simply to trust in God through those moments as He brings that peace so that you can endure those circumstances.
Build on a Firm Foundation
Lastly, David reminds us that we need to build our lives on a firm foundation. He says, "Spirit, lead me forward on firm footing." So often do I find that if I'm not careful, I'm building my life on things that are fragile, things that will fall apart. Things like money or job titles or what my friends think of me. Accolades, awards, or prizes. Things that I can brag about.
Those things are temporary. If they break, if they fade away, so does our sense of security. The Spirit is leading us to one place, and that's closer to Jesus - the Cornerstone, the firm foundation who is never changing, the same yesterday, today and forever. That's where we want the Spirit to guide us.
He Will Lift You Up
Life doesn't have to leave you feeling like you're sinking. If you can press into God, be open to learning, be sensitive to His Spirit, and be led to a firm foundation, you'll notice that you'll start to feel like you can breathe again. I encourage you today, if you feel like you're sinking, lean into God and watch as He lifts you up.
