Years ago in my hometown, when the community pool was built, Dad often took my brother and me swimming. I marveled at the way my father could slice the water with a smooth dive, roll over on his back, and float. Without even moving his arms and legs, he could remain on top of the water. Amazing!
When I tried it, I sank–immediately.
“Daddy! Show me how to float!” I cried.
First, he helped me to lie flat-out on top of the water. His hand gently supported the middle of my back. And then Dad said the strangest thing.
“Now, relax.”
What?! Every fiber of my being was tense. I just knew that if I relaxed, my nose would instantly fill up with heavily chlorinated water.
But I trusted Dad. He wouldn’t trick me into a catastrophe. So I tried to relax.
Easier said than done. Try as I might, my body would not relax. My focus was more on the possibility of sinking than it was on the one thing that would keep me afloat.
“That’s OK,” Dad probably said. “This is just your first try. Keep practicing, and all of a sudden you’ll get the feel of it. That’s how it happened for me.”
This experience came to mind as I read Charles Spurgeon’s comment on an excerpt from Isaiah 30:15.
First, the scripture-excerpt: “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
And now, the Spurgeon quote: “We are sinking by our struggles when we might float by faith.”
But learning to relax in the spiritual realm is just as difficult as it was to relax on my back in that swimming pool. It is so much easier said than done–at least for me.
Why is fretting and worrying my default mode? It’s so pointless. Resting in God is the only way to hope and peace (Psalm 62:5).
The big question is how. How can I relax into quiet confidence that will be my strength, and keep me afloat?
Perhaps the answer is in that word practice. As I reaffirm over and over God’s glorious attributes, as I review His wonderful promises, my focus will change and my spirit will learn how to rest.
What attributes might be wise to focus on? King David included a number of them in his glorious psalm of thanksgiving, found in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36:
- Power (vs. 9, 12, 14) – He is able to work wonders.
- Integrity (v. 15) – He is totally trustworthy.
- Holiness (v. 29) – He is absolutely pure and righteous, totally set apart from anyone else in the universe.
- Goodness (v. 34) – His blessings to us are bountiful and frequently displayed.
- Love (v. 34) – Not based on our paltry deeds, but on his kind and gracious nature.
And what promises would build my confidence? Here are three for a good start:
- “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 18:30).
- “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
- “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16).
Notice: He promises protection, provision, and guidance. Everything we might face is covered.
Thinking back to those summer days at the community pool, I’m reminded of two things that happen when we float: 1) Our eyes are focused upward. 2) Our ears cannot hear very well, situated as they are beneath the surface. Noise is silenced.
Those two things need to happen in the spiritual realm if we’re to float by faith. Our eyes need to be focused upward on our powerful, loving, promise-keeping God, and our ears need to be stopped to the voices of worry.
The former will undoubtedly take care of the latter.
(Photo credits: www.sciforums.com ; www.dailyencouragement.net ; www.flickr.com ; www.confessionsofasmowflake.com )
From the Inside Out 
Reblogged this on A DEVOTED LIFE.
Thank you, JD. I am honored you found “Float by Faith” to be worth reblogging to your readers!
Love! I was directed here by the reblog. Having been a life-guard for eight years I love the water and remember trying to teach children to float. Thank you for sharing the Spurgeon quote. I love it. I had to tell many kids that if they would relax and trust the water and their bodies swimming and floating would be easier. Now I must be told to relax and trust my God to keep me from sinking.
When I do go swimming, I love to just stop and float for a while. For the two reasons you listed. I look up and enjoy the cloud shapes and I dwell in the muffled silence. It is so peaceful. I never really thought of transferring that over into my spiritual life.
Thank you!
Thank you, Kris! It is so encouraging to see God use the blog to touch the hearts of others. God bless you as you practice floating!
I feel honored to have sat here in this space in time to read what you’ve so beautifully posted. Thank you for your style and grace.
Thank you for your kind comment, Sweet Pea, and for becoming a follower. I am also honored!
Reblogged this on Single, Sexy, AND Saved!.
Thank you for the reblog, Espie!
Great post:) I love the way you used the Bible verses in your post:) Also I reblogged this
‘So glad you appreciated the scriptures. Thank you for reblogging–I am honored you found the post worthwhile. Praise God!
Found this through JDBlom’s reblog! Very much a blessing to read it. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Elaine. I’m delighted you were blessed by this post. Thank you for stopping by!
Reblogged this on Learning to float and commented:
Just found this post…it describes everything I hope to learn on learning2float.
How about that?! Learning to float certainly requires a person to float by faith!
May we all remember to Float by Faith today. What a wonderful post and a wonderful reminder that it’s all in God’s hands and we only need to trust Him 🙂
Thank you, Coffee Diva. I, for one, need frequent reminders!
Well said! It does take practice, but our God is so faithful & understanding of our mortal beings.
Oh, yes! I have to think he enjoys watching us grow and develop, much as we take pleasure in watching the development of our children!
Reblogged this on Jordan Moody and commented:
These are some of the things I have been struggling with. I have been trying to find God’s will for my life and yet at the same time struggling to find it for myself. I think sometimes if I would just let go and let God I would be better off.
Years ago I heard a seminary professor say, “God doesn’t play hide-and-seek in the trees with His will for your life.” I found that statement to be sensible and comforting. God isn’t playing a game with us, to see if we can figure out what we’re supposed to do. I can trust my all-powerful God to make clear to me the next step. Sometimes that means stepping out in faith in the direction I sense He’s taking me. If I misstep, He will set me straight. Sometimes I have to wait for contingencies to line up. He is in the waiting also.
God bless you, Jordan, as you avail yourself to God’s plan for your life!
Thanks! If you don’t mind and the seminary professor doesn’t mind… I would like to borrow your quote. “God doesn’t play hide-and-seek in the trees with His will for your life.” #helpful
Reblogged this on One Starving Activist.
Thank you very much for reblogging this post. I am honored!
Nancy, I always just smile at the similar verses you share, ones that have spoken to me, too. The Isaiah verse at the end is the one God gave my husband and I last year when he was getting ready to retire. Talk about wanting to panic about the unknown. We’re still figuring out the path….so glad to have our Saviour at our side.
Your Scripture reminders are well appreciated.
(Jody, I wrote the following comment last August, but didn’t reply correctly so you would receive it. Here it is, a year-plus late!!) Thank you, Jody, for your encouragement. I suppose kindred spirits WOULD be drawn to the same scriptures! That retirement path is just around the bend for us. I need to tuck that Isaiah passage in one of the planning folders!
Truly enjoyed this one, Nancy. Floating by faith! While on our backs we can look no place but UP! Perfect. In my mind…I compare it to learning to ride a bike without the training wheels. Mom or Dad had my back as I would start pedaling. When they felt it was the right time…they took their hands away…and off I would go…finally! BUT…even though the folks would no longer be ‘supporting’ me, the MOST IMPORTANT thing is that God STILL had my back. And He still does every day in everything good thing that I pursue. I was able to ride without help because my confidence grew over time. And that confidence came from The Lord. The Lord knew how important it was to a child to take that step of getting rid of the training wheels. A small thing in the grand scheme of things, but important to a child like learning to float. Loved this quote: “We are sinking by our struggles when we might float by faith.”
Oh, yes, Cheri. God STILL has our backs. I’m nodding my head in agreement! Thank you for your insights.
Reblogged this on Learning to trust God anew. and commented:
The fact also is that it does not take much from us; for instance Luke 17:6 says: … “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
I think this post” hit the nail on the head” about faith and your analogy of learning to float was on target. continue to allow God to speak through you. Shalom
Thank you for the reblog, Tasha. I’m delighted the post spoke to your heart!
Love the post Float by Faith. I remind myself and others that there is no need to worry, God has the plan all worked out and It is in His hands,. When I worry it is time wasted, because what is going to happen will happen, and it does not take me worrying about it. Thanks again for your faithfulness in your blog.
“To worry is to waste time.” So true–an important fact to remember. On the other hand “To float by faith is peace” as we rest in the knowledge that God has the plan all worked out. Thank you, Laura for your thoughtful comments!
I love the reminders of what happens when we float: keep our eyes north and our ears are shut to the outside noises that distract us from our faith. Thank you for this blessing. It is something I needed to read this very night.
Thank you, Leeanne. Isn’t amazing how God can bring to our attention exactly what we need to hear and understand?! I’m delighted you found the post to be a blessing.
A word in season, thank you, Gill
Thank you for stopping by, Gill. How wonderful this post came to you when needed. Praise God!