When Everything Feels Impossible

When life brings us to a rushing river, we don't need a way around it or over it; we just need to take the Savior's hand and navigate right through it.

Many times, when an incident happens in my life, my thought is: there is the next blog. And this blog is no exception.

I love summer. It is a time to more easily get outside and explore God’s creation. And if you really want to feel amazing physically, emotionally, and spiritually, nature is the place to go.

It was a Saturday afternoon that my son and I went exploring. We love to see the new things that we can find, whether it is a new trail, waterfalls we haven’t seen before, or even the occasional historical find. On this occasion, we had some of each.

My son had a plan for where he wanted to hike on “our” mountain, so we took a “little” drive to the location, parked, and proceeded in the direction he wanted to explore, only to discover it was an actual trail.

It was a cooler day, and the beauty of the green was fantastic. It brings a peace to your heart that is beyond words. It draws you in and makes you feel so blessed. This trail ran alongside a good-sized stream that gave the most glorious sounds as it splashed across the rocks.

Then we saw an old bowl—very old—which took us off-trail to look at the history of the area. As we looked at the abundance of what some would say is trash, we saw a tin can labeled 1918. It makes you stop and think when you realize that people lived in this area without all the technology we have today.

They were loggers, no doubt, and had to have lived a very rough and tiring life trying to make a living taking logs out by whatever means were available in those days. We did run across a saw that would have been a way to cut the trees—one man on one end and one on the other end, sawing back and forth until they felled a tree. None of us even begin to comprehend what “real” work is like. How tired they must have been at the end of each day, only to get up early the next day and be back at it again. They were fit, no doubt, after working their muscles that hard each day.

As we got back on the trail, we were just taking in all the beauty around us, the sound that surrounded us, and just being grateful that we live in such an amazing place to have this right in our “backyard.”

Then we rounded a corner and realized we had come to the end of the trail, unless we wanted to cross the water. We were trying to scout out a spot where we could cross it on rocks, where it might be a little narrower. But alas, we could not find a spot.

We finally decided on which rocks we were going to try and use. Some weren’t sticking up very far out of the water, so we could definitely get wet on that rather cold day. But we decided to give it a try.

As I stepped onto the very first rock, things did not go well. I did not anticipate the rock to be so slippery, and down I went, hitting my hip on the rock and catching myself with my hand on another rock. So much for staying dry!

My son, who had also slipped ahead of me but did not fall, came back to help me up. Now I had some wet areas, but I was thanking God I didn’t break anything. I wondered at first if I had broken my wrist, but thank God I did not.

We still had the determination to cross over, so we made a different plan. I saw a couple of sticks that someone had left leaning up against the bank that I could use to assist me. We rolled up our pant legs and waded across in our socks and shoes. It was quite cold, but the water only came up halfway between our ankles and knees.

We got to the other side fine, and now we were hiking in our wet socks and shoes on a rather cold day. But as we kept moving, it helped keep us warm. And it was so worth the beauty we encountered, with several falls

that we passed by and the huge overhanging rocks that we saw. And yes, it did cross our minds that it would be a great place for a mountain lion to perch!

We were longing for some sunshine to warm us up, but we were in the dense woods. We started moving more quickly to keep warm. Then we came to the same water upstream where, if we wanted to keep going, we would need to cross it again. And probably on the top of the mountain on the other side, we could catch a road that would lead back to our car. But we decided to go back the way we came because it was late and we didn’t know what we would encounter ahead.

It is amazing how much warmer the water felt when we waded through it on the way back. Our feet were colder, so the water felt warmer. But despite the cold and the mishaps, it was an amazingly cool place, which I want to visit again with more preparation.

As I pondered this event, I realized there are probably multiple directions that I could go in my thoughts. I can say this event made me think about how loving our God is, and how He brings things into our lives to remind us of our spiritual journey.

As we walk through life, seeing the beauty around us is a blessing. And even the “trash” strewn around from our past history can be a blessing if we focus on how the Lord has brought us through. If we keep our focus on what has happened instead of how it has brought us to where we are today, and how it has grown us, we won’t see the beauty.

I look at myself and see how many times when I am going through trials, and it is like rushing water, I want to try and navigate around it or over it when what I really need to do is navigate through it.

And when I try to navigate around it or over it, I end up falling on the rock, and it finally breaks me. I then ask the Lord to help me up, which He does so graciously. And just like those sticks helped me cross the water, He will walk beside me and help me walk through the water of difficulty—not around it or over it, but through it—and I come out the other side better for it.

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee..." — Isaiah 43:2 (KJV)

And when the next trial comes, if I am walking with Him, the “water” (trial) will not feel as cold as the first time around.

I want to fall on the rock each day and be broken so that I realize my need for Jesus. My need for Him to always walk with me through each day. I want to commit my life more fully to Him today.

"And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." — Matthew 21:44 (KJV)

Dear Father in Heaven,

I realize my need of You. I cannot navigate the rushing water of this world alone. There are too many currents that want to take me down. Too many currents to draw me away from Your presence. I want Your presence to be ever near me and in me. Cleanse me of anything that would keep You from being able to dwell within my heart. Send Your angels to protect me from the evil one. And send Your Spirit to indwell in my heart and lead, guide, and help me grow.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

5 Action Steps

1. Stop Trying to Go Around the Rushing Water

When a trial hits, our natural instinct is to find a shortcut, avoid the pain, or pretend it isn't there. Instead of trying to bypass the difficult seasons, ask God for the strength to walk straight through them, knowing He is right there beside you.

2. Lean on Your "Sticks" (God’s Support Tools)

Just like those sticks leaning against the riverbank helped provide balance after my fall, God places tools in our lives to steady us. Lean heavily on daily prayer, reading your Bible, and the support of godly family and friends when the footing gets slippery.

3. Change Your Focus on Past "Trash"

We all have remnants of past hardships or mistakes scattered behind us. Instead of looking back at those memories with regret or pain, change your focus. Look at them as historical markers of God's faithfulness—proof that He sustained you then and will do it again now.

4. Choose to Be Intentionally Broken Daily

Don't wait for a major crisis to bring you to your knees. Choose to "fall on the Rock" every morning by starting your day in full surrender to Jesus. Acknowledge your need for Him before the day's currents even have a chance to pull at you.

5. Get Outside and Listen

If you are feeling overwhelmed physically, emotionally, or spiritually, take a "little drive" into God's creation. Disconnect from technology, find a quiet trail or a splashing stream, and allow the peace of God's handiwork to quiet your heart and remind you of His presence.

Closing Statement

No matter how fast the river is rushing in your life right now, remember that you don't have to cross it in your own strength. Roll up your pant legs, take hold of the Savior's hand, and step forward into the water.

Checkout the video version: HERE

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