Brittany Lee Allen

An Ocean Full of Fears in the Hands of a Mighty God

We came to a halt as we walked on the beach that evening to gaze at the beauty placed before us. How vast was this ocean? How beautiful were the pinks and oranges dazzling against the turquoise water? How intricate was each curling wave? And how amazing is the God who formed it?

The sea is his, for he made it… (Psalm 95:5a ESV)

We had been talking about a fear of mine and my need to trust the Lord. As I looked out as far as I could see, I thought to myself, “Sometimes I think all my fears could fill the ocean.” I thought about all the “unknowns” swimming in the deep dark sea. Some of them scary, while others interesting and exciting to discover. Earlier that day my brother in law informed me of a nearby jellyfish as I stood waist down in the water. You better believe I booked it to the shore as fast as the current would allow (not very fast FYI.) You just don’t know what’s coming until it’s there.

Much like life. Sometimes looking at our future can be as worrisome as tackling those 6 foot waves at the Outer Banks. I want to run toward the future head first but there are things out there that could hurt me. They could cause me to lose my footing and all sense of control in an instant.

But I’m reminded that the ocean and the tides were created by a mighty and powerful God. So were the creatures therein both known and unknown. So was I. 

I have come to this conclusion: though my fears may fill the Atlantic, my God is bigger and mightier than the ocean.

And just like he holds the ocean in his hands (Isaiah 40:12,) he also can hold every last one of my fears in them. My fear of bearing children, my fear of anxiety, my fear of rejection, my fear of the unknown. All of them. Suddenly, when I consider the loving kindness and omnipotence of my Father, my fears don’t seem so big after all. He beckons me and reminds me that it is no burden at all to “cast my anxieties on him because he cares for me.” (1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22) In fact, it’s his joy that his children draw near to him.

When I consider the loving kindness and omnipotence of my Father, my fears don’t seem so big after all.

I came across this verse the other day:

Do you not fear me? declares the Lord. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass over it. (Jeremiah 5:22 ESV)

I pondered this for some time. The ocean cannot pass over the boundary God has set in place. If it does, it is because God has allowed it. God is sovereign over the ocean and he is sovereign over my life. And my dear friend, he’s sovereign over your life too. The waves he allows to approach us are waves he intends to use for our good and his glory (Romans 8:28.) We have to trust him. He is good. He will not let our trials consume us.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flames shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:2-3 ESV)

 

Ladies, our God is much bigger than the struggles we face. When we feel consumed with heartache or the daily demands of life, let our hearts be reminded of the truth: our Lord is more powerful than what we are facing and more loving than we could ever imagine. And all I can say is wow. How great is our God?!

“I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages” Charles H. Spurgeon

 

10 Responses

  1. I love your quote by Spurgeon and your realness about your fears. It is amazing how different we can become when we focus on Christ inspite of the waves in life that seem to be crashing in around us. Thanks for the encouragement!

  2. I love the ocean. I love how much it really represents a picture of our Lord. He is limitless, ginormous, powerful and yet gentle, calming and amazing. I could go on and on.

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