Surviving the Panic of Life’s Rapids

The violent waves of nausea swept George’s system. As he doubled over his stomach hurt and it tried to toss its contents. But the heaves that came were dry. His life was in shambles. How could he tell anyone that he hurt so horribly inside – when he looked okay outside. Men don’t cry!

George is like a hundred others at any given moment. Because of work his life is in turmoil. Projects have mounted and the office has almost swamped him. He feels if he moves only a tiny bit the wrong way, makes a tiny mistake, or crosses the wrong person – it will all tip over and he will drown in his wretched life.

George is like some caught in very poor relational problems. What started out as a Cinderella and Prince Charming is now so far the make believe. The swirl of legal battles, property settlement and the retching that comes from severe attacks by the other partner – or the glare of the other person’s new partner.

Nobody but George or Cinderella really undertand how bad it is. Neither of them dare tell others what has happened. It is better to suffer alone.

It may be the long winter or it’s just this period of time in a very busy and impossible 2008 that has driven people to the edge. The edge sitters are ready to pack it in.

As a pastor sometimes I am watching the swirl of broken humanity rush by me. It is like standing at the side of a very rough portion of the river where hidden rocks below the rushing water are strong, jagged and mean. If the person on the river in the small craft hits one of these, their little craft will disintegrate in seconds. Worse yet they are screaming for help – with panic in their eyes they want someone to help them. AT THIS MOMENT I AM THE ONLY PERSON THAT IS AT THE RIVERS EDGE.

The panic of Life’s Rapids is very real. All of us will go through it at one period of time or another. Many will face this one over and over again. The helpless hang on for dear life. Feelings will shake their little craft. Their hearts will beat impossibly fast for what will seem like an eternity. But at other times it will stop all together…and there will be no more breath at all.

The only people that Rapids are good for, is a photographer. If you are on the river bank there is an odd beauty as you see the danger of the frothing, churning water. But you know that you have no desire to step into the wild river. Taking a photo is as close as you want to go. Watching a TV program about ‘Rapids in Life’ is close enough for most of us – or perhaps the closest that many desire to get.
How do you survive the “Rapids of Life”? How can you make it through?

I have found some simple ways to get through...

• Hang on – it will be over soon. Rapids are never that long but rather for a short space in a long river’s course. There was a smooth river above where you are now…and there will be a smooth river soon – just around the next bend. It may be as close as next week.


• Grab a paddle, hang on and dig into the waves with all your power. That ‘dig into’ will keep you from the very large rock buried just below the water’s surface. This small something in your hands now is your last bit of control – use it, dig, dig, dig!


• Keep your eye on what is up ahead. This simple survival technique will steady your next actions and drive your next paddle plunge as you get through this section of danger.


• Maintain a solid attitude – a paddle dipping, paddle driving and a get through this rough place attitude. Attitude is everything. Attitude holds on to a wet and slippery paddle and drives it back into angry waves just inches from your craft.


• Never forget – we each have a helmsman in our small craft of life. His name is ‘God’ for me. At times he sends an occasional Angel to sit on board when I most need him. I am not alone. With the violent spray on my face I need only cry, “HELP” and it is there for me.


• Listen – to your helmsman’s voice as he shouts the commands…”Steady, Steady…. Dig Now, Now, Now….Its okay I am still here… steady, steady, steady.”

Some reading this today have almost lost it. There are no words to let anyone know just how bad the Rapids are right now.

Can I remind you – we are in it together. When you shouted for help we began to pray. When you were retching in agony and so deeply hurt by what happened – some of us cared completely and began to pray for you.

Hang on we can get through this one.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~