Wreckage of my life

Wreckage

I shaded my eyes and tried to glance sideways at the blinding scene. A helicopter hovered above the ocean. The air from its blade pushed the water into concentric circles, and the spotlight reflecting off the water made it almost impossible to discern what I saw. A wreck scattered both debris and people throughout the ocean, but it was nerve-wracking to determine which was which. My anxiety increased as my frantic search only turned up more debris.

“Lord, what is happening? How can I save anyone if I can’t even figure out where they are?”

“Stop trying to rescue the wreckage — concentrate on the people.”

This confused me because that is what I thought I had been doing. Something was off in my understanding.

“What is the wreckage?”

“Good question. The wreckage is many things and as I tell you, keep a peaceful heart do not become overwhelmed. Remember, I have overcome it all.”

I took a deep breath and waited.

“The wreckage is the debris from the explosion of your self-reliant vessel. It includes the schemes and plans that did not include Me. The lies the enemy used to keep your mind bound in the wrong way of thinking. The “should have” statements you continually tell yourself when you attempt to fix yourself, control others, and your life circumstances. It is also the distractions and life’s diversions that keep you from your destiny.”

I gulped. “Have I been trying to salvage the wreckage instead of just letting it go? I’ve been missing the people because confused thinking blinded me.”

“Stop looking for imaginary things, the should-have things that you have determined need to be different. Banish the lies of the enemy and surrender your life and those people I have blessed you with to Me. Live in the present. Experience the people who are here with you right now. The people I’ve given to you to love.”

***

I took a deep breath and contemplated what trying to rescue wreckage would feel like. Splinters for sure, and how would you try to pick it all up and tread water at the same time? How could I ever hope to recreate the ship that had been destroyed? Obviously, it would be an impossible feat. I felt remorse that I had been wasting my precious energy and time so ridiculously. I could no longer deny I had been. After God explained it to me, I clearly saw each incident in the recent past that I had tried to rescue wreckage.

Ugh

But He also told me to stay in peace. We don’t need to beat ourselves up about the past. We just need to move forward and fully live today. To look at our lives with thankful lenses. To acknowledge Christ in all our beautiful gifts and people that He has given us.

It seems so simple, so why is it so hard?

Really, I have no idea. Maybe because society trains us to always look for the problems so we can fix-it, make ourselves better. But that’s really just glorified self-effort again that leaves us dissatisfied instead of thankful. I need help with this.

How have you trained your brain and heart to be thankful? Are you doing something that is working? I would love to hear about it.

"Give thanks to the God of heaven, For His lovingkindness (graciousness, mercy, compassion) endures forever." (Psalm 136:26, AMP).

Prayer for you and me. Lord, we need to keep our hearts in Your peace. Please keep our minds and hearts from wandering into self-effort. You are the Prince of Peace, and we desire to keep ourselves within Your protective arms. Renew in us a right spirit of thankfulness. In Jesus’ name Amen.