scuba lesson

Some of the kids recently returned from another scuba diving adventure. I was regaled with enthusiastic tales of exploring sunken boats, underwater acrobatics, strange sea creatures, beautiful sub-surface scenery, bioluminescence of the night, face-to-face introductions with huge fish, navigating a jellyfish smack (stings and all), and capturing an octopus. Excitement filled the kids’ voices as they recounted the successes and (gulp), mistakes of the intense weekend—fitting eleven dives into about 3 days.

More than simple recreation, these dive trips are purposeful and intentional. With each dive, the rookies are expanding and deepening (literally) their skills with their instruments, orientation, breathing/oxygen use and movement in the water. They are learning the importance of obedience, courage, clear thinking, initiative and alertness. They are learning to appreciate some of the scope of both God’s creativity and His power.

One story in particular snagged my attention. Corrie recounted a dive that was especially uncomfortable on her ears, as they didn’t “clear” properly as she dove. She was more than 50 feet below the surface before they began to clear, and she found herself disoriented and uneasy as the descent continued.

By the time she reached the sunken boat some one hundred feet below surface, Corrie’s ears were smarting and her heart was racing. Aware that her unsettled breathing was consuming too much oxygen from her tank, she tried to calm herself—but with little success.

At this point in retelling her story, she paused. “I knew I needed to stop and be alone for a moment. I stayed at the far end of the boat and started thinking through [Joel’s] instructions. As I went through them in my mind, I calmed down and then I was able to go on and complete the dive.”

The same week the kids were scuba diving, I experienced some of my own “deep dives.” The reality of continuing life with my children apart from Joshua is often suffocating. Time ahead seems to be a million miles deep. Living on the verge of panic or depression has become a common part of my life. Sometimes, the unintentional “quick descent” into these mindsets results in painful pressure or paralysis. Worry, self-pity, or fear set in and the nagging lies suck away my breath: “I can’t do this” or “I don’t wanna…”

Joel and Roxy have offered excellent diving instruction to Corrie. The Lord has offered excellent diving instruction to us as Christ-followers. But both types of instruction are useless if they are forgotten during the dive.

“Uphold me according to Your Word that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope” (Psalm 119:116).

Panic and depression are very real. They are also tremendous spiritual-oxygen consumers. Allowing them to control my mind and heart will suffocate my life in Christ and prevent me from accomplishing His will. The only way to combat them is with the Word of God.

It has become my habit to recognize these treacherous enemies of the soul and make a decision. Will I stop, withdraw to the Lord and recount His instructions? Or will I succumb to spiritual suffocation, unable to complete the tasks (the dive) I’ve been called to fulfill?

Choosing specific verses or identifying attributes of God relating to these issues and having them prepared (written down and memorized) and at hand, is vital to the success of this endeavor. When panic moments occur, I must choose to think on these verses or attributes (or read them if my mind is too burdened to remember), meditating on them and praying them back to the Lord. In essence, I breathe in the Word as oxygen to my soul and breathe out the Word as praise to the Author.

You know, of course, what happens. The panic and depression dispels as the Lord upholds me with His Word (His very Self!) that I may live—just as He promises.

Perhaps panic or depression are not problems for you. Perhaps your spiritual oxygen is threatened by other consumers: bitterness, anger, insecurity, selfishness, envy or other such nasties…all vying for your spiritual breath.

Remember this little scuba lesson from Corrie: Stop. Get alone. Review your training—apply God’s Word. Then get out there and complete your dive.

“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalm 119:165).

“Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life” (Psalm 119:92-93).