When we moved to Georgia a few years ago, my parents dug a well on their property, and a few months ago, we split the cost to have a pump installed and water lines run to each of our homes. This seemed like a good way to save a little money each month by not using city water, and I figured the well water would taste better.
Unfortunately, after just a few days on the well, we noticed that the water tasted somewhat metallic, so we switched back to city water. Needless to say, I was a little frustrated since we had spent $1,000 installing the well pump, so my mom called a company that sells whole house water filters. A saleswoman came out to test the well water and the city water and tell us about their system.
By the end of her presentation and water testing demonstration, I felt like either way we were doomed! We were either drinking too much chlorine in the city water, which was bad for our health, or we were drinking dirt and sediment, which may or may not hurt us, but would ruin our plumbing and water heater over time. To fix the situation and protect my family would only cost $7,000! Of course, she was happy to set up a payment plan.
I walked away from her sales pitch feeling like I couldn’t win.
I could sacrifice my kids’ college fund and have safe drinking water, or I could continue saving and send my kids to school but take the chance of developing cancer, according to the studies she presented. But isn’t this feeling what we often come up against these days?
We have so much information at our fingertips that we can go crazy trying to make wise decisions for our family’s health and well-being.
And most of it centers around the idea of protecting the people we love.
Think about it.
Vaccines or no vaccines.
Organic foods, a whole foods diet, paleo, vegan, raw (this list could go on and on!).
Public school, Christian school, or homeschooling.
Living off the grid and keeping our kids away from worldly influences or helping them embrace all types of cultures by living in the city.
No screen time or structured media time.
Allowing teens to date in high school or forbidding that they look at the opposite sex until they turn 21!
I could have listed plenty more scenarios, but I think you get the picture.
We are bombarded with so many viewpoints and opinions, and they all promise to give us peace of mind—because isn’t that what we’re looking for?
We live in uncertain times of public shootings, natural disasters, financial security breaches, and contagious diseases. If not kept in check, this strikes fear in our hearts because we just want to protect our kids and have them grow up in a safe environment.
We strive to create that safety net by controlling all that we can—including the water we drink, which brings me back to my story.
After the saleswoman left, I sat talking to my mom about our options. She was leaning towards forking over the cash to ensure she was drinking pure water, thus protecting herself from contaminants and chemicals. And she was worried about our family if we didn’t invest in clean drinking water. I looked at her, and I said, “Mom, I know this may sound like a cop out, but we don’t have the money, and I just have to trust that God is going to take care of us.”
Isn’t that what it ultimately comes down to?
We can’t begin to protect ourselves here on this earth.
The Bible tells us that Satan is like a roaring lion looking for lunch (1 Peter 5:8)!
He is constantly looking for some way to trip us up, whether it is physically or mentally. That’s why Peter warns us to stay alert and keep our focus on God.
Before His death, Jesus shared with His disciples how He would be leaving them soon but that the Holy Spirit would comfort them and help them continue their mission. He was trying to prepare them for the uncertainty they would feel in the near future.
In John 16 Jesus ends His discourse with these words:
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (verse 33, NLT).
Jesus didn’t say, “You won’t have any problems as long as you follow Me” or “You may have trials, but they’ll be minor.” No, He flat out says:
Yep, life is going to be hard, and some days you’re going to cry and feel overwhelmed by the weight of it all.
But don’t worry! A better day is coming!
I have defeated the enemy of your soul, and one day you will live in a perfect world where everything will be as it should be!
On the days I want to lock my family away and shield them from everything that is evil and bad, I turn to these verses, which remind me of where my strength comes from and who is ultimately in control. Then I bow my head in surrender to the One who promises to walk beside me no matter where the road leads.
Instead of taking all of the responsibility for protecting my family and placing it on my shoulders, I leave the ones I love in the hands of my heavenly Father where they belong.
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:1, 2
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!… ‘Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.’ The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” Psalm 46:1-3, 10, 11
What areas of your life feel out of control? What steps can you take to find peace in the midst of uncertainty? What scriptures can become your life mantra to help you stay focused on God?
I’m so curious. What did you do about the water?
I ended up doing some more research on whole house water filters, and I found an option at Home Depot that was about $600 that my husband installed himself. It isn’t as robust as the one from the company, but it seemed like the best financial option and use of our resources.