Do You Feel Headed For Shipwreck?
The ocean liner Achille Lauro sailed perpetually under a dark cloud. In 1953 it collided with another ship. In 1975 it rammed a Lebanese vessel, killing four people. In 1981 it suffered a fire that claimed two lives. In 1985, Palestinian terrorists grabbed world headlines by seizing the ship, slaying passenger Leon Klinghoffer, and dumping him and his wheelchair overboard. In December of 1994, off Somalia, a fire broke out in the engine room, forcing all 1,000 aboard to abandon ship. Two days later, the Achille Lauro sank to the bottom of the Indian Ocean.
Do you think of yourself as having a destiny similar to the Achille Lauro? Maybe your heart echoes this paraphrase of Job's complaints:
"I wish I had never been born!" (He says this sort of thing for 13 verses!) "I'm up against a brick wall with no way out. All I ever do is sigh and groan. My troubles are like a sandbag sitting on top of me. It's like I've been shot with poisoned arrows, besieged by an army of terrors! Do you think I'm complaining without good reason? My life is like eating tasteless food; it makes me sick. If only God would just kill me and get it over with! The pain never stops. I'm too weak to hope anymore. Day and night, I have nothing but misery. My time is running out, and there's no hope. Someday soon I'll be gone. You'll look around, but I will have vanished. I have a right to complain and be bitter. I can't get any sleep, or if I do, I have terrifying dreams. I'd prefer strangling to that kind of sleep! God uses me for target practice. Why doesn't He just forgive me? Soon I'll be dead."
Have you ever felt that low in the water? God did not abandon Job, but sustained him through his suffering. He does not abandon us, either. Even if you sense a dark cloud is following you around, even if you realize that after a painstaking search, you have found no answers to a myriad of questions, God is faithful.
We serve a God that can reach us in our time of need, no matter where we are. The psalmist knew this by experience: "If I make my bed in the depths. . . even there you hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast" (Ps. 139:10). Even if we feel submerged in sorrows, sinking down to the bottom of the ocean, from the deepest of those depths He can lift us up.
Turn to Him, call to Him, seek His face. He wants to be found, and He is never far away from hearts that reach out to Him.
Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean. Go to his DeeperStudy.org for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."
Related News
Sean Penn Stars In Inspirational Gay Rights Tale - NY1
‘Inspirational Mr Gordon made us feel valued’ - Camden New Journal
Paying tribute to an inspirational printmaker - Times Colonist
Paying tribute to an inspirational printmakerTimes Colonist, Canada -12 hours agoThe work of a print-maker who created clouds of interstellar visions in her art, and inspired hundreds of students in her art classes at the University of ... |
Guest Viewpoint: Astronaut from Windsor is inspirational - Press & Sun-Bulletin
Hazel's an inspirational mum - Oxford Mail
Hazel's an inspirational mumOxford Mail, UK -3 hours agoMother-of-two Hazel Scott, 34, from Wheatley, was named Most Inspirational Mother of the Year at Mother and Baby magazine’s 2008-9 awards, held in London. ... |
Practical and inspirational, 'Fuel' faces the facts of the energy ... - Seattle Post Intelligencer
A look at the top 10 inspirational sports movies - The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com
Ministry of Inspirational Therapy holds meeting - Monroe News Star
Ministry of Inspirational Therapy holds meetingMonroe News Star, LA -14 hours agoThe 18th annual membership meeting of the Ministry of Inspirational Therapy was held Nov. 13 at the NELBA building in West Monroe. Gloria Jones, president ... |
Who was the most inspirational leader featured in 2008? - CNN International
3 inspirational books in time for holidays - San Angelo Standard Times
3 inspirational books in time for holidaysSan Angelo Standard Times, tx -17 hours agoBoth are billed as inspirational gift books for all ages, especially teens and young adults, and both are filled with upbeat quotations from a variety of ... |
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Future Prediction
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 13, 2004
A Childs Plight
In the streets of Bogot, a child - named Simon* - wanders amidst the crowd. He is a lonely soul, lost in the multitude, forgotten by humanity, rejected by his society.
A Path To Peace
The root of discord and violence between people and nations comes from our tendency to forget our humanity. We "forget" our true nature.
Moneys Sad Lack of Intrinsic Value
A good number of my columns deal with finances and money-related issues. Obviously, these are issues we have to confront everyday. However, I have to try to keep in mind the fact that money has only a limited value in our lives. Many of us, including myself, often lost sight of the fact that money is a means to an end, not an end in itself. It has no intrinsic value. It is only worth the benefit or enjoyment that a person can get from it. If someone is unable to glean any benefit or enjoyment from the things it can buy, then it is worthless to that person. We all know (or at least we should know) that money can't buy happiness, but I'd like to go a few steps further in demonstrating how money lacks intrinsic value.
Changing the World... One Book at a Time
Ever read a book that's changed your life? Most of the today's most beloved authors and spiritual teachers can recall a book that started them on the journey toward spirituality and success.
Changing Course
Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 17, 2003
There Must Be More To Life Than This
If you suffer from a nagging feeling of "there must be more to life than this", you're not alone.
The Author Within You!
I always had an active imagination when I was young. I hated school, and would pass the time away day- dreaming about things I should not even have known about at such a young age. I used to make up stories in my head, that would always have me as the centre of attention, like collecting an Oscar for a Hollywood film that I had starred in, or recovering from a major operation or accident. I think I was like this because I was a shy kid who lacked a lot of confidence. It was no different when I started work.
What Does Faith Have To Do With Marketing?
No, this isn't going to be a sermon or anything ? don't worry about that! I'm no preacher, so I wouldn't even think of trying; but what I do have is faith in myself and faith in the fact that I can be successful on the internet.
The Procrastinating Perfectionist
Are you a procrastinating perfectionist? I once read an article dealing with the fear of failure and success. The author described it as the following: "The curse of the procrastinating perfectionist".
Challenge Your Problems
Life teaches us in peculiar ways. It knocks us down. It makes us struggle to get back up.
A Teller Of Tales
Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 10, 2002
Do You Have a Vision?
You must absolutely have a vision, or a dream, for your life.
Your dream is what will cause you to jump out of bed in the
morning instead of waking up with anxiety or dread for the day
ahead.
What Legacy Are We Leaving Our Children?
Children can seem exhausting, annoying, wonderful, loud and funny all at the same time. They are a lot of work especially in the beginning years but what we need to realize is that they are our future so what we do with them in the early to teen years is important because they will become the leaders while we behold the golden years. How we raise them now affects how our future is in our later years and in theirs. When you see how our current situation is with illiteracy in schools, and crime, it can seem daunting to us.
Pay It Forward
My friend Hugh Jeffries died. He was a wealthy man. His wealth was of the kind that you can take with you when you go. I do not know what his tangible estate measures. That is unimportant now. This I do know?his contributions to the lives of others were the true measure of his success and wealth.
Create Your Own Self Esteem - Part 2
The good part of this story is that there is now hope to end and effectively reverse the effects of all negative emotions that we individually and collectively experience in our lives. Now we come back to the word reversal I spoke about earlier. The process of choosing to end and to reverse the effects of negative emotions is what I call having Esteem for the Self! By this I mean that as you engage the contents of this book from a sincere and real desire to accept what it has to offer you are choosing to "love" your Self. And loving the Self is really the same as having the highest form of Esteem for the Self, which is You.
Leaving The Child Behind. Recovery From Child Abuse
I looked at my father for the last time before he was finally laid to rest. And I said to myself, "I forgive you father".
Your True Talent Will Set You Free
When you get home from work, do you feel enriched, fulfilled and empowered? Or does it seem like you just finished an uphill battle on a treadmill? Imagine being paid to do what you love. You could return home feeling as though time stood still. Being "in the zone" virtually all day. Coming home invigorated knowing you consistently live a natural high.
The Power of Gratitude
When my older son was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, my first reaction was relief ? I finally knew the reason for his behavior. However, I was also overwhelmed with sadness, fear and anger. I felt sorry for my son and for myself. Like many others in similar circumstances, my question to God was "Why me?"
Encouraging Blossoms of Achievement
The tiny dogwood sapling was only a twig when my mother planted it years ago. At age four, with a red wagon and bucket, I was happy to carry water to anything that grew, even to the full grown flowering apple trees in my grandfather's orchard.
|
