We Have Been Here Before

21 Feb

“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

First of all, let me tell you that my heart and prayers go out to all those who are watching the water levels rise in our local rivers and streams.  The constant downpour yesterday contributed to the melting of the huge mounds of piled up snow from the other week.  Sadly, the ground is still frozen, so the water has nowhere to go.  It is running off into all the channels that direct it to the rivers and they are past their flood stages.

If we are optimists, we could look at this and say, “Thank God that rain was not snow.”  Seriously.  We would be up to our necks in snow and still trying to dig out if, indeed, we had snow.  But the rains are causing their own brand of misery, especially to those who suffered from the severe floods of 2008.  Nothing brings back a horrible moment in one’s life like the possibility of another horrible moment.

While the town is telling people that they believe everything will be all right, that the new levies will hold, and that the water level will not get high enough to top the levies, there is a sense of fear and urgency and that has taken over the residents that live near the waters.  Many people have already dragged all the furniture and belongings that were in their basements up to a higher level in case their houses flood.  They are watching the news, looking out the windows, and darting up and down the steps to check and make sure nothing is coming in.

For all practical purposes, they are living in fear.

Fear is never a good place to be.  Fear has us respond in frantic kinds of ways.  Fear takes away all joy, all peace, all hope.  You may not like to hear it; but, God constantly tells us, “Fear not!”  Even if the worst happens, God is with us and will help us get through whatever we need to get through, as long as we hang on to Him.

Perhaps that is the “knot” that good ol’ Abe Lincoln was talking about when he said, “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”  If God is your knot, trust me, that knot will never unravel.  If God is your knot, He will make sure that He stands strong and firm and give you all that you need to grasp.

Turn to God in time of need.  Know that He will give us what we need to hold firm.  Do not let your rope unravel.  Let Him hold it secure and be the lifeline you need.

FAITH ACTION:  Pray for those living in fear and distress, that they may hold on to God for the strength that they need.