OH (expletive)!

The Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?”“I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”
Genesis 4:9

Have you ever had one of those moments where you thought "OH (expletive)!"?  Yeah, me too.  It's rather like looking out of the airplane window and seeing a skydiver with a sign reminding you that he used to be the pilot.  It's that moment of panic where your stomach churns and threatens to create other issues.

I believe Cain had one of those moments when, after he had killed his brother, God came to him and asked "Where is your brother?  Where is Abel?".  You can almost feel Cain's pucker get tighter!  Almost as puckered as Adam and Eve were when God came to visit with them and asked Adam why he was covering himself.  

I remember taking some cookies off the plate at my Gramma's house.  Grampa asked me if I had taken any of his cookies.  In my young mind, I was astounded that he could have any indication that I had done such a thing, so in all my quick-witted thoughts I told him, "No SIR!"  That's when I got the "Run for your life" look from my Grampa!  It wasn't until I became a parent that I understand how he knew it was me.  Something about the crumbs on my face and the chocolate chips stuck to my teeth, and a few more clues (he had seen me while pretending to nap in his recliner).  You see, Grampa really didn't HAVE to ask the question because he already knew the answer.

God is the same way, when He asks us a question, He already knows the answer.  So what are we to do with those moments when our stomachs drop?  Tell God the truth!  He already knows anyway.  It's better to tell the truth.....ALWAYS!

That Sinking Feeling

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Matthew 14:29-30

During our journey through this life, we will encounter events which can overwhelm us and leave us feeling helpless, devastated, or at a loss as to how to continue. If we look only at the situation, we will feel overwhelmed and we will be tempted to shut down.  Let's face it, if a computer's circuits get overloaded, the computer will shut down and burn out.  That's the same type thing that can happen to us.....if we let it.

Take a look at today's passage.  The Disciples had been sent across the Sea of Galilee ahead of Jesus.  Jesus had told them He would meet them on the other side.  Little did the Disciples realize that He was going to walk right past them on the water!  But, sure enough, the Disciples saw Jesus walking on the water and their sense of "normal" became overwhelmed and the only explanation they could fathom was that Jesus was a ghost.

Even when Jesus told them it was Him, they still doubted.  Peter even said, "Lord IF IT IS You, let me walk out to you."  Jesus told him to come on over.  So Peter stepped onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus.  However, when Peter saw everything else that was going on, he became overwhelmed again and began to sink.  In desperation, he called out to Jesus, "Save me, Lord!" and Jesus reached down and saved him.  

So what can we take from this?

      * We WILL have encounters when we feel overwhelmed! Nothing will make sense and we will feel like burning out.

     *  Jesus has promised that He will ALWAYS be with us, keep that relationship as a priority! 

    * When those times come, don't be afraid to call out for help.  You are not the only person to ever feel overwhelmed and you will make it through this time.

    *  It is not a sign of weakness to let your emotions flow at the appropriate time.  Hold it in will cause more issues than you want to deal with.

    *  Keep breathing!