HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE THROUGH TROUBLED WATERS?
Are you living in troubled waters or are you rising with the tide? No, I’m not a sailor or anything to do with the sea but am speaking metaphorically of course.
No matter what is going on around us, there will always be something to worry about. Worry is a waste of your precious time and energy. It saps you and is not productive on any level. I’ve heard it said by many that they cannot help but worry and I too used to be in that boat (pun intended).
I live in Central Oregon, near the fairly well known city of Bend, Oregon. It is beautiful here yet no ocean nearby and not many lakes. We do have beautiful rivers to explore. Relative to that thought, there are waters that are quiet and calm naturally such as a lake and there are waters that are very active and powerful, rivers and oceans.
When speaking of troubled waters, is yours more like a lake, calm and peaceful until someone plows through it with a boat or is it more akin to the ocean which is quite strong in the undertow and dangerous if not respected? Or are you dealing with a river like troubled waters, hitting rocks along the way?
Sometimes we need to let the water carry us to another destination, be it physical or emotional and other times find a way to the shoreline or call for help. Trouble will come for all of us and one time or another however, we don’t need to ask for it or go looking for it. Trouble can be any type of conflict, financial difficulty, relational, or we can simply watch too much news and take on the troubles of what we see around us.
There are ways to leave the worry behind and ways to deal with it as a challenge or problem to be solved. Perspective is the key and at times it will take drastic measures to get to the shoreline and others times, scream for help because you don’t have to go it alone. If you need a lifeline, reach out, call out, scream out! We need each other even in the good times.
Be assured you will never touch the same water twice as I have heard it said. Trouble will come, I promise you that. Don’t invite it or go looking for it. The song by Simon and Garfunkel, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” speaks powerfully to this topic.
Bridge Over Troubled Water
When you’re weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all, all
I’m on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I’ll take your part, oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Let us be that bridge for someone in troubled waters! Be there for someone in over their heads! Navigate well my friends.
Dedicated to Andi Buerger, founder of Beulah’s Place and Voices Against Trafficking
