Last weekend, we spent time with our grandchildren. As I watched them run and play, I was reminded of an incident on our beach trip.
We arrived late in the day, but they wanted to swim in the ocean, so my son and I went with them. Our youngest had on his life vest while in the ocean. Later, they wanted to go to the pool. I went with them while my son gathered the beach gear. All three ran toward the pool, however, the life vest stayed on the beach.
As Griffith ran by me, I asked if he didn’t need his life vest. He yelled “no” as he catapulted himself into the pool behind the older two. I thought perhaps Griffith had learned to swim and only needed the life vest in the ocean as a precaution.
Suddenly, my son zoomed by me shouting, “Griffith doesn’t have on his life vest!” With a flying leap, he jumped in the pool and pulled his son from under the water to safety.
Later, our daughter-in-law talked to Griffith about the incident. He didn’t want that face-to-face conversation, or to hear that he must wear his life vest in the water, but his attention was drawn to the words, “You were in trouble, but Daddy rescued you.”
Griffith didn’t realize he was in jeopardy, but his father knew the urgency of his situation and ran to his rescue.
What in your life has you in need of rescue?
Not Realizing You Need Rescue
Like our grandson, sometimes, we don’t realize we need rescuing. We ignore warnings, forge ahead, dig ourselves into a deep hole, then attempt to climb out of it in our own strength. When help is available, we refuse it. Perhaps embarrassment factors in or unwillingness to look at the truth of what is happening, but turning a blind eye, and ignoring aid and support when you need help, is foolish.
When I think of those who don’t realize they need rescue, I think of teens, adults, and increasingly, children, who, in moments of hopelessness and despair, decide suicide is the only reasonable choice. Instead, suicide is flawed ideology, a permanent solution to temporary problems, but they are unable to reason correctly or realize their need of rescue.
Knowing You Need Rescue
Do you know people who realize their need for rescue, but refuse to do anything about it? Often, they are on a path of self-destruction. The lies they believe about themselves, mental illness issues, abuse, shame, or regret alter their perspective, causing them to make poor choices that send them deeper into a vortex of self-harm and self-destruction.
At times, we all need a life vest, a rescue from danger, or from ourselves, an anchor in life’s storms. But, too often, we place faith in our own abilities instead of looking to God for strength and wisdom. We fail to see how much others care and ignore an outstretched hand of rescue.
Today is a good time to start the process of acknowledging your weaknesses, admitting your need for help, accepting rescue, and rekindling forward motion.
“I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray. I made you and I will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you” (Isaiah 46:4 GNT).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
To receive Candy’s blog, Forward Motion, via email, go to https://candyarrington.com/blog/ and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up.