I Feel Like I’m Drowning

I Feel Like I'm Drowning

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” – Psalm 94:18-19

Do you ever feel overwhelmed, like you can’t get your head above water long enough to breathe?

Maybe it’s bills that always are too much. Maybe it’s a relationship just has gotten rocky. Maybe it’s a feeling like you can’t get anything right. Maybe it’s a pandemic that won’t end. Maybe it’s all of these and more.

We all have those times that overwhelm us, where we can’t see to get ahead or find peace. It can feel like you’re drowning. No matter how hard you swim it seems you just can’t reach the surface.

The Psalmist Has Been There
Can’t you just hear it in the words?

“I said, ‘My foot is slipping,'”

“Anxiety was great within me,”

This is someone who has been there. Notice, the psalmist doesn’t pretend like he wasn’t afraid. He doesn’t act like he held it all together.

Sometimes we think we can’t show our hurt or fear. If we do, we must not really trust God. That’s not what we see here. The psalmist was filled with anxiety. He felt like he was about to fall. Imagine standing on the edge of a cliff and feeling your foot start to slide. There’s panic!

The Lord Held Him Up and Consoled Him.

The Psalmist is looking back and basically saying, “I thought I was a goner and was scared out of my mind of what was about to come. Yet, Lord, you lifted me up, comforted me, and gave me joy once again.”

The Lord Will Lift You Up and Comfort You.

Lean into Jesus. Pray. Just be still and read His Word, especially the Psalms. Don’t pretend to be strong. Don’t pretend to be fine. Lay it all before Him. Don’t rush it. Take your time. Give Him your anxieties. He will comfort You. There is hope. He will give you strength. He gave you the breath of life.

You can breathe.

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” – Psalm 94:18-19

Dear Jesus,

There are times when I can’t handle this life on my own. Give me strength. Lift me up. Comfort and console me in Your great love. Please, give me Your peace.

Amen.

PS – Personally, I find singing helpful, too. I’ll start singing a hymn like, Great is Thy Faithfulness, or a praise song like, There’s Something About That Name, and sing it over and over.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt