Angry Waters

I have been experiencing some serious mood swings in my life lately. Very serious...as in 'uncontrollable' serious. Pre-menopausal? MS-related? A result of sleep deprivation? Poor eating habits? I've come up with a list of a dozen reasons why this could be happening to me --none of which change the fact that I'm beginning to think I'm whacko.

I had recently shared with Brillo Man that when these 'swings' come on, they are uncontrollable - like a huge wave of emotion. I sense they're coming, but can do nothing to avoid the pounding and intensity of the waves. This morning, in my devotions, I was directed to this passage of the Bible:

Psalm 93

The Eternal Reign of the LORD

1 The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty;
The LORD is clothed,
He has girded Himself with strength.
Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.

2 Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting.

3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
The floods have lifted up their voice;
The floods lift up their waves.

4 The LORD on high is mightier
Than the noise of many waters,
Than the mighty waves of the sea.

5 Your testimonies are very sure;
Holiness adorns Your house,
O LORD, forever.

Trouble comes our way, according to Psalm 93, in relentless waves that surge and pound against our souls and break upon them with furious force. "The floods have lifted, up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice," (v.3) and they are deafening.

Yet above the tempest we hear the psalmist's refrain, "The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea." (v.4)

Indeed, "the Lord reigns"! He is clothed with majesty and strength. He sits as King, exalted higher than the waves that rise above us, deeper than their immeasurable depths, greater than their strongest surge. The storm is in His all-powerful hands: "The world is established, so that it cannot be moved," for His rule over it was established long ago. (v.1) He rules the raging of the sea; the "wind and the sea obey Him" (Mark 4:37-41). He speaks and they are still.

The storm will not last forever. Yet, while it rages, I can cling to the Lord's promises of love and faithfulness, for His "testimonies are very sure" (Psalm 93:5). Waves of trouble may sweep over me, but I will not be swept away. He "is able to keep me from stumbling" (Jude 24). My Father in heaven is holding my hand.

When overwhelmed with problems,
When weak of tired or ill,
When storms are fierce and raging
Just hear His "peace, be still," -Jarvis