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Written by Beth Andrews for “Deeper Roots”  @  https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com

Original post @ https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com/2020/09/16/drowning-in-a-desert/

Drowning in a Desert

POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 BY BETH ANDREWS

Isaiah 43:16-19

“This is what the Lord says – He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters” (v. 16); “I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (v. 19).

Some days it feels like I am both drowning and wandering through a desert.  I know, you can’t drown in a desert, but let me explain.  My emotions seem like an overflowing river, thoughts rushing this way and that, pulling me under and threatening to take my very breath.  For a split second, I come up for air – “I believe!”  In the next the waves crash over my head again – “But I am afraid!”  God promises to make a way – a path through the waters of fearful thoughts and discouragement that threaten to drown me.  He promises dry ground to cross over to the other side.

Yet I am also in the desert where nothing grows and all seems lost – walking through a season of drought.  Health issues.  Grief.  Family tension.  Responsibilities that shouldn’t be mine.  Financial struggles.  Too much to do and not enough time to do it. They beat down like the scorching sun as I wander looking for an oasis.  God promises to make a way here too – to provide streams in this wasteland.  Mind you not to drown me like the sea, but to refresh and restore me.

Our Father meets our needs for rescue and refreshing.  He gives us dry ground and cool springs.  He never fails to notice us wherever we are – even when we’re in two places at once.  Oh, my drowning, wandering friend – let me throw you a lifeline of hope.  You don’t have to fear because God hears you, He is with you, He fights for you, He will never leave nor forsake you, and He promises to help you.  He knows where you are right now, and He knows what you need right here.  And He will make a way where there seems to be no way.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS832US832&sxsrf=ALeKk00r6rCUuIfK215HxiP3FkSQfIiA1g:1602675652745&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=image+isa+43:19&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjg8OKHgLTsAhUVBs0KHQ0uAIwQjJkEegQIBhAB&biw=1325&bih=905#imgrc=GdvPDj9fIrDKOM