“N-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!” Chris screamed as he scooted to the back of the bathtub. Lynne was giving our two-year-old son a bath and she had pulled the stopper on the drain. Memory fails me, but there was something floating on the water that was caught in the vortex of draining water. It swirled around a couple of turns and then it was gone.

As a two-year-old, Chris wasn’t well-versed in physics or quantum mechanics. All he knew was that a floating object just went down the drain and he was next! Mom to the rescue.

I’ve only experienced vertigo a couple of times, and it isn’t a pleasant experience. Everything seems to be spinning even though you are not moving. In a physical sense, it felt like I was circling the drain and was about to get sucked under.

Quite often, we Christians get caught in the downward vortex of this physical world we live in. Unforeseen events catch us by surprise. I could list a hundred examples, but we only have to think back to the calamities we have faced in our lives and realize that we have forgotten the promise of Scripture.

“No temptation [trial, difficulty, emergency, disaster] has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

When life hits us right between the eyes and the world starts spinning, we frequently forget God is still on the throne. God has given us ample confirmation in Scripture that He is sovereign over every aspect of the lives of His children.

• “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)

• “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Optimally, we are “planning our way” with the leading of the Holy Spirit, but even if we aren’t, God is still in control, and He uses the challenges that come our way to accomplish one of two things. He is either initiating a course correction to get us on His path, or He is allowing us to experience a challenge to strengthen our faith.

I have to ask myself, Do I really believe that God is sovereign over every aspect of my life? I can preach it, but if I don’t practice it, I will suddenly find myself where I have to actually live it. That is the time when I follow King David’s example and I cry out to the Lord: “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint [‘overwhelmed,’ KJV]. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:1-2)

God has given us His phone number so we can “call out” when we find our heart overwhelmed. “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

When (not if) you find your world spinning out of control, when you feel like you’re circling the drain, call the Lord’s phone number and ask Him to “lead you to the rock.”

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!