That sinking feeling

Everyday we learn of a new reality. It began with a virus in a foreign country. Then it was crowds not being allowed at sporting events. Then it was sports itself being cancelled. Now in the last few days it's been all mass gatherings cancelled, grocery stores running out of product, and the fear of everyone "sheltering in place."

Everyday there is a new reason to get that sinking feeling. That wave of anxiety and worry that starts in your throat and spreads throughout your whole body like a wave. We are in uncertain times and our reality changes on a sometimes hourly basis.

And what makes it worse? Taking our eyes off of our savior. In the last few days I've noticed personally when i watch more television and coverage of this outbreak; that sinking feeling in me grows. When I am in the stores and see the empty shelves, that feeling of emptiness inside of me wells up.

My eyes aren't on God. Like Peter in the Bible, I feel like I am sinking. The story can be found in Matthew (also John & Mark),
²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
²⁸ And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

What sticks out me to is Peter WALKS on the WATER. He overcomes the doubt in his mind to walk on water. Even though Peter knows walking on the water is "impossible" (he isn't in the midwest in the winter either), he does it. But then Peter looks at the wind. Peter turns his eyes away from Jesus. He becomes afraid while focusing on the world. And what happens? Peter sinks. Peter gets the literal sinking feeling.  He is overcome by doubt and begins to sink downward.

In this moment though,  Peter puts his focus back where it needs to be, on Jesus. Despite the panic that must have overcome him, Peter calls out, "Lord, save me."

Jesus reaches out and saves Peter. He pulls Peter out of his own doubt. Jesus again reminds Peter that despite the wind, waves, and water, that God is in control.

In this time of that constant sinking feeling, we need to keep our eyes on God. We need to keep calling out with our voices to God. We need to keep realizing that no matter what we hear, God is still in control. This pandemic may be new to us, but God is eternal. God had been with this world through everything. God isn't going to socially distance himself from us. No matter how quarantined we might be, God will still be with us.

So as Peter did, when you are sinking, call out to God. The news is going to keep coming, the virus is going to keep spreading, but God is going to keep loving. Set your eyes on God. Right now, we need that as a daily and sometimes hourly reminder more than ever.