Sometimes I listen to myself and I cringe.

Too much worrying.
Too much whining.
Too much complaining.
Too many questions.
Too many excuses.
Too many doubts.

Sometimes I’m like a child who refuses to jump into the swimming pool for the first time.

©iStockphoto.com/miflippo

“Will you really catch me?” the child asks his father. “Are you sure I won’t drown?”

“Yes, son. I’ll be right here to catch you,” the father gently replies.

“I don’t want to get into the water, but I want to go to the other side where the other kids are playing!”

“Sorry son, there’s no way to get there without getting into the water. Come! And you can try swimming too! I promise to hold on to you.”

At this point, the boy starts whining and crying. He only has two choices: jump in the water and swim with his father to the other side, or spend all his energy throwing a tantrum, only to walk away in the end.

I can imagine the father talking to his child and saying, “Don’t you trust me? Don’t you remember that I’m the one who ran to you when you fell down the stairs? Don’t you remember that I’m the one who hugs you before you go to bed every night?”

How many times do we act like that child and spend so much time throwing a tantrum? How many times do we end up walking away because we forget who our Father is?

We often pray for instant miracles and instant rescue. Sure, God can grant those because He is able. But there are some times when we have to travel down a path whether we like it or not. There are some journeys that just have to be traveled: maybe we find ourselves suffering from a tragedy, dealing with a big challenge, experiencing the consequences of our actions, or going through what feels like a season of drought. These are the journeys and the seasons we would rather do without, but I believe God wouldn’t let us go through them unless there was a good reason. He may not promise to take us away from all of the challenging times, but He does promise to walk with us.

I remember the first time I jumped into a pool when I was a little kid. My dad caught me, alright…after 5 seconds. He let me paddle and kick frantically in the water for a short while before he pulled me and carried me in his arms again. And he didn’t really carry me across the pool the entire time. For the most part, he would hold me by the hand and teach me how to float properly. He did it this way because he wanted to bring out a swimmer in me. He wanted the best for me.

Our God is a good God and a perfect Father, and He’s always looking after you and me. If you find yourself in the midst of a trial right now that doesn’t seem to be going away, then just walk it, one step at a time.

I have this habit that some people may find slightly funny. Whenever I find myself in a difficult situation, I say to myself over and over, “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.”

What makes it funny?

I say it when I’m “suffering” during a difficult workout.
I say it when I need to run one more kilometer.
I say it when I’m walking down a hill on a dangerous trail.
I say it when I’m white-water rafting.
I say it when I’m about to go on stage to speak.

It’s my go-to phrase for all things difficult. But seriously, these may be seemingly shallow times for some people, but the fact is that the promise is true, so whether I’m going through something small or something big, I’m going to claim it. Whether I need to meet a deadline, counsel a friend, endure emotional pain, or find a solution for a difficult problem–whatever it is–I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.

And so can you.

Walk with Him and talk to Him, and find comfort in the midst of the uncomfortable.