Life Saver

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.

Proverbs 3:5–6

Pause

A piece of rescue equipment called a Lifesling hangs on a rail near the stern of our sailboat. Its storage case features diagrams and instructions that show us how to use it correctly if—heaven forbid—someone falls overboard when we’re navigating open water.

I wish every crisis would come with diagrams and step-by-step instructions telling us how to survive when drowning feels like a very real possibility. It would sure make life easier.

Unfortunately, that’s never going to happen, but we can hold on to hope when winds blow and waves slosh over us because God has given us his words as our Lifesling. They tell stories about how others have survived tumultuous times. When we feel like we’re about to drown, his promises steady us. Reminders of his presence secure us. Reassurances of his power strengthen us. The waves batter us but they cannot sink us. His truth buoys us when we cling to it, and we are safe.

Ponder

What promise from God’s Word is buoying you today?

Pray

God, thank you for giving me everything I need to survive this experience.