It's Surf Time (Rising Above Our Circumstances)

On Sunday we drove to the beach, just to look at the ocean for a little while. The waves were raging and looked incredibly fierce. I thought, my gosh! No one could survive that! The next day, one of my husband’s coworkers shared how wonderful the waves were the previous day. He was out surfing in the midst of the double red flag warnings. What’s the difference in our 2 views? I saw the raging waves as daunting and intimidating. He saw them as an opportunity to rise above and allow them to carry him to his desired outcome! Hmmm...

There’s so many things in this life that fight for our attention and wreak havoc on our emotions. The enemy is constantly throwing things into our path to push our buttons and cause an unfavorable reaction. I’ve been dealing with this lately. It’s humbling to see that I really have no strength outside of His grace. So, what do I do when all hell seems to be breaking loose and my emotions begin to be affected by the earthly circumstances? As Colossians 3:3 says...I crawl deep under His wings of protection where I am completely hidden in Him. That’s the secret place, where the bombardment of negative thoughts, fear and anxiety cannot penetrate. It’s a place that’s filled with incredible love, acceptance, peace and power to face each day with a strength that’s way beyond our natural abilities. There’s a supernatural favor that flows from there and a peace that is truly beyond our understanding. It calms the storm within our minds even when it’s still raging around us! That’s where our greatest battle is... what’s going on on the outside can’t affect us unless we allow it to take root in our heart and consume our thinking.

When time is spent in the Secret Place and studying God’s Word, we begin to have the proper perspective about the situation. There’s nothing too difficult for Jesus! He paid the price for our healing and a victorious life. Not one that’s void of problems, but one that faces them with faith and a calm trust that He is with us. Knowing He will use every situation for our growth and His glory if we’ll surrender our lives to Him and worship in the storm instead of wasting valuable time complaining.

Let’s stop looking at the turbulent waves in our lives as a death trap, but let’s grab our spiritual surf boards and rise above our fears and the intimidation of the enemy. Let’s use those waves and ride them to our divine purpose! God’s got a plan and the path to it is always unique. It’s surf time!

Romans 8:28 (TPT) So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are His lovers who have been called to fulfill His designed purpose.

Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT) Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

Psalm 91:1-4 (NKJV) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

Psalm 69:14-16 (NLT) Rescue me from the mud; don’t let me sink any deeper! Save me from those who hate me and pull me from these deep waters. Don’t let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me, or the pit of death devour me. Answer my prayers, O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful.

Isaiah 41:13 (MSG) That's right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go. I'm telling you, 'Don't panic. I'm right here to help you.'