Not Far From the Peaceful Shore

I beat myself up for some bad decisions that I've made in my past.  I know. I know.  Don't worry, I'm not stuck on the whole 'beating myself up' phase.  I recognized the decisions, 'slapped' myself around a bit and made note of it; writing down what led to those bad decisions (my emotions, environment, etc.).  The thing is, oftentimes when we make bad decisions we get lost in the muck of guilt or condemnation.  We either beat ourselves up so bad that we feel like we deserve to stay stuck in our miserable, little pool of mess, or we feel so lost that we don't know how we're going to make our way back to a place of peace.

Recently, I spent some time on the white sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico.  My children and I were having a good time riding the waves on one of those inflatable lounge floats.  We took turns laying down on the float and let the waves push us toward the shore (or flip us into the water).  I wanted to relax and decided to float further out into calmer waters, which totally terrified my children. They were afraid I would be swept away toward Mexico!  I thought about it, being so far out on that float, not being able to wade myself back to shore.  It may feel good, maybe a little adventurous at first, but what about those on the shore?  What about me?  How would I survive or recover on a device that wasn't made to protect or support me in those conditions?

Going with the flow or getting use to a routine that leads to bad decisions or sin lends itself to feelings of hopelessness, fear, shame, and/or depression.  We can get so caught up with the ebb and flow that we forget Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."  Don't fear, the peaceful shore isn't as far as it looks or feels.

I showed my children that the water they thought would overtake me was just above my waist.  I could walk back to the shore if I wanted and they were relieved.  I know that's what God always wants us to know, that we're never too far gone.  The decision(s) aren't bad enough for Him to leave us wading in our mess.  Neither are they too major that He won't guide us back to a place of peace.  Standing on the shore, I'm confident hope can be found.  Redemption does await.  You can recover.  You will survive.  Take His WORD for it!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:33-39, NIV)