Do you ever feel like the whole world is pressing in on
you? Feel like you are trapped
with no feasible way out? I have never been comfortable in confined
spaces. I am certain that when I
was an infant swaddled in a blanket I was screaming inside, “Let me out!”
Frankly, that feeling has not diminished as an adult. When I met my husband he played in a band. He loved live music so while dating we
went to many concerts. I tried to
focus on the music, but my stress increased throughout the evening as I looked
at the size of the crowd and anticipated the mass exodus. When the time came, the only way I
would survive without a full-blown anxiety attack was to grab my husband’s arm,
close my eyes and walk just slightly behind him. He would forge a way through the crowd and if I happened to
peek the only thing I saw was his broad back. Before I knew it, I was outside breathing in the fresh
air….free.
This wasn’t my only option.
I could have walked into the hallway and yelled, “ Move
aside and let me pass.” Naturally,
they would question, “Who are you?” and would be correct in doing so as I had
no authority in that situation.
I could have waited an hour or so for the crowd to naturally
dissipate. But, how much of my
life do I want to give up to fear?
I could have jumped into the crowd without a plan. I would have quickly become overwhelmed
as I was crushed on every side lacking the strength to push my way out.
Thank goodness I had the thought to trust someone bigger
than myself. One who not only formulated a plan as he could clearly see the
exit door, but also had the strength to forge a path for me. One who grabbed my
hand, as I threaded it through his arm, and never let go until I was free.
I have heard from many who are going through a tough
season. Some wonder why
their prayers for direction are met with silence. First, May I encourage you that Jesus has authority over
every obstacle you encounter. If you are met with silence you have a clear
decision. Trust or not trust. At the concert I had to literally shut
my eyes to change my focus. I did not need to understand how we were going to
get out. I simply needed to trust
in the one who was holding my hand.
Ironically, when we feel so lost and out of control these are the times
we are most richly blessed. When a
lesson is no longer something we simply read in a book, but actually experience
it changes your paradigm forever.
Grab onto the Savior. As you see your hand threading into His, know there is
neither cause to hide in fear or jump without a plan for He has already forged
a path you need only hold on.
