Epic and Everyday Challenges

How about this scripture to start your day in a merry way? “The breakers of death surged round about me, the destroying floods overwhelmed me. The cords of the nether world enmeshed me, the snares of death overtook me” (Psalm 18:4-5).

It sounds more like we’ve stumbled into an action movie script rather than a morning devotion! Sounds intense, right? I have found myself in some sticky situations and have known tough times but I don't think I can relate to that scripture at all. Or can I?

Oh, I can relate. Breakers and waves have surrounded me. And I'm not talking about the cruise we just enjoyed even though we encountered some rough waters in the Atlantic Ocean. Those really weren’t the "breakers of death".

But those "breakers" aren't necessarily waves of destruction, but can be like the relentless demands of work, family, financial pressures or they can be that dreadful grinding noise every time we hit the brakes. It's the constant, sometimes overwhelming, flow of everyday responsibilities.

And those "destroying floods"? They're the real crises -- the kind that stop us in our tracks. It could be a family emergency, a sudden job loss, or a health scare that makes everything else seem trivial in comparison. Suddenly, we’re treading water, trying our best not to be swept away.

Then there are the "cords" and "snares" -- the things that tie us down or trip us up. For many of us, it's the endless scroll through social media, comparing our behind-the-scenes to everyone else's highlight reel. Or maybe it's those personal anxieties that we just can't seem to shake, opting to worry rather than tackle problems head-on.

Snares? Oh, they're all around. From that too-good-to-be-true sale that tempts us into buying things we don't need, to the toxic relationships that drain our spirits. Not to mention the guilt traps -- feeling guilty about things that aren't even wrong, or about mistakes we've already made peace with.

But here's a slice of good news from the rest of Psalm 18:6, "I called upon the Lord, and He heard my voice." Amidst all those waves and storms, this should be our go-to move. Are we quick to call on the Lord when the waters rise, and the snares tighten? If not, maybe it's time we started.

Let’s not forget the WHO is Captain of our ship! The next time we feel like we're starring in our own personal disaster flick, we MUST remember this. It is not about the size of the wave but the strength of our lifeline to God. He's listening, ready to help us navigate through both our epic and everyday challenges. Let's make calling on Him our first response – NOT OUR LAST RESORT!

Remember…..Psalm 18:6 – “Call upon the Lord. He hears our voices!”