Everyone has seasons in life where they feel as if the world is closing in. Maybe you feel overwhelmed at the amount of work that is in front of you; maybe you are concerned about the loved ones in your life; maybe you don’t know how you will pay that bill; maybe you feel unloved; maybe you can’t find a job; maybe you just lost someone close to you; maybe you feel all of the above.
When I was a Freshman in college, I attended a campus ministry retreat so that I could get to know people a little better. Since it was a new school year, many of us felt a little overwhelmed. The leader had us each spend some time alone outside just talking to God.
I enjoy walking the trails so I took off into the woods. As I walked, I talked to God about the feelings I was going through and suddenly realized that I had gotten off of the trail. I looked around and realized that I had no idea where I was or where the trail was. I had never been to this particular retreat center before so I didn’t even know which direction I needed to go.
My first thought was to panic. I thought about screaming to see if anyone could hear me, but I was too embarrassed to have everyone know that I had gotten lost. I kept looking around trying to find a clear path, but still couldn’t see where I needed to go. Then, I heard the dinner bell telling us it was time to come back, but from where I stood, it echoed so I could not tell where it came from.
Again I thought about screaming, but I still didn’t want to embarrass myself. Suddenly I remembered why I was out walking to begin with, so I stopped where I was and I prayed. Just as I finished my prayer, I looked around and immediately saw a path near me. I got on the path, praying that I was going in the right direction. Eventually the path took me straight back to the lodge.
As I thought later about what had happened, I realized that God was with me all along. It was only when I panicked that I lost my way and it was only when I turned back to God that He showed me the clear path.
Proverbs 3:5,6 says,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Since my days in college, I have had many times along the way that I felt the world was closing in. Sometimes I figure out immediately that I need to stop and talk to God about it. When I do, more often than not I get my trust back and things come together. Even if they don’t come together, I have God’s peace that gets me through those uncertain times.
Unfortunately, most times I worry myself and have many sleepless nights and times of panic before I remember that God has always been there and I can trust in him. My prayer for you is that you can learn to lean on God as your first reaction to the problems that come your way. He really is waiting on you to do just that.
- Rita Camden, Finance Director