As you begin to move from the stagnant water to living water, breaking the dams that kept that water stagnant and letting go of the things that held you in place, some of you will start to move but many of you will be fighting against the current. My husband is an avid kayaker, his father was on his way to the Olympics when his best friend and kayaking buddy died in a log jam while kayaking. They named my husband after that friend. Of course paddling has been a rather big part of my life since being with him and my kids entire life. Paddling in still water it is about moving from place to place but paddling in moving water is more about shifting with the flow. Ever tried to paddle up stream? Good luck! Depending on how good the current is, it can be extremely difficult to pretty much impossible. It also exhausts you very, very quickly. Further more, good kayakers (not me) learn to roll a kayaker because they know they are highly likely to flip it in rough water and rather than fight that as well, they learn to pop themselves right back upright without moving out of the kayak at all. I am not going to lie, the process of learning that is terrifying to me and I did not jump in on that other than helping my husband teach my son to do it. You spend a bit of time upside down in the water not strapped into a kayak but secured with a "skirt" and I just can't overcome that right now but I have no plans to go in the rapids either. My point with all of this is that kayaking is an excellent analogy for how we are to navigate life as we are out of the stagnant water.
Don't fight the flow.
2. Don't stop or turn around at obstacles.
3. Don't rely on the wrong strength. I was looking for something to support this and found an article on threesisterskayakrental.com that expressed it better than I could on my own.
Start with humility: “God, I can do nothing apart from you. I need your help.”
Act out of trust: “God, I trust in Your strength and ability. I acknowledge that my efforts are only able to succeed if You are fighting for me.”
Give God the credit: “God, I am thankful for Your faithfulness to me. Any recognition or praise I receive belongs to You.”
Is there an area of your life that you take wrongful pride in?
How would your life change if you fully relied on God’s strength and greatness instead of your own?
What is one thing you need to start doing or stop doing to trust in God instead of your own strength in that area?
https://threesisterskayakrental.com/is-it-difficult-to-kayak/
Who do we rely on?
Isaiah 41:10
Isaiah 41:31
Numbers 9
Numbers 11:31
Numbers 14:26-33.
Numbers 20:20
Nnumbers 22.
From Recharge lesson : Chasing man made solutions in a God made world. To fight the spiritual, you have to seek the spiritual.How do we rely on him?https://newspring.cc/devotionals/2-samuel-a-5-week-devotional/how-to-fight-with-gods-strength
Reflect:Philippians 4:6-7
Try a prayer like this:God, I have been fighting this battle and I am tired of trying to do it all on my own. I am tired of trying to control the outcome and I don't have enough strength to keep going without you. I know you have done great things for me in my life and I thank you so much for all you have already seen me through, protected me from and comforted me through. I am sorry I try my way first instead of bringing it to you, but I am bringing it now. I am asking for your help. I am asking for strength. I am asking for peace. I am asking that your will be done. Direct my steps; correct me if I am going the wrong way. I trust that your ways are higher and better than I can even imagine and I want your will in my life. Thank you Jesus, Amen.
Pray daily. Tell him your worries and concerns daily. Humble yourself daily. Thank Daily.
Hebrews 4:12
Psalm 119:105
Psalm 119:11
