Every summer my family would travel to the beach for our family vacation. I have fond memories of us floating on the waves and enjoying the water. There was always a point of panic when I was not able to touch the bottom. I was a good swimmer, but there was something about not being able to touch the bottom that scared me. I remember I would have small panic attacks and would quickly swim to my dad because I knew I could trust that he would not let me drown. It is interesting, I do not remember my dad telling me I could trust him in that experience but I knew I could trust him. I knew my dad would not let anything bad happen to me.
I am thankful for moments in my everyday life that remind me of the characteristics of my Heavenly Father. Just like my memories in the ocean, I know I can run quickly to God, my Father, and he will not let me drown. The Psalms are packed with raw emotions and the reader is given a level of transparency we often do not find in other books. Psalms 13 begins with uncertainty, desperation, and David crying out to the Lord. I am thankful I am not the only one who feels alone or lost at times. However, even though David lays bare his emotions, he rests and trusts in the promises he has found in the Father. Verse 5 starts, “But I have trust in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me.” Instead of believing the Lord has forgotten him or that he is abandoned, David chooses to trust in the steadfast love of the Father.
We can learn from this response. Instead of being controlled by our emotions and insecurities, we can respond in faith as we put actions to our trust. We can trust the promises found in Scripture and let them guide our thoughts, decisions, and reactions.