What You Need to Know About “Turn Around and Don’t Drown”

Spring has FINALLY arrived, and after a week of heavy rain and flooding the sun came out on Sunday. It had been a miserable week for many people as they fought the elements to save homes and businesses. Many of these people were caught off guard because of flash flooding. Emergency crews were very busy with water rescues because people were driving through deep water only to have their vehicles stall out in the water and become trapped.

The National Weather Service uses the phrase “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” to remind people of the danger of driving into water on flooded roads. However, it doesn’t stop people from getting in over their heads. There were visible signs of rushing, deep water, yet some chose to risk their lives to get to the other side. Danger was imminent, yet they placed themselves and their passengers in harm’s way. This also risked the lives of the first responders who had to rescue and get them to safety. Chances are the water has also ruined their vehicle and caused them a lot more trouble than if they had just waited a few hours for the water to recede. The warning signs were there, yet they threw caution to the wind and ignored the obvious danger.

I wish I could say I have heeded every warning in my life, but I haven’t. The caution signs were there, and I chose to ignore them and ended up needing to be rescued.  We all make decisions, but not every decision is for our good. There are times those decisions are made out of fear or selfishness and end up causing us and others great harm.

If we were cautious and waited for the water to recede, we would see the danger that lies beneath the surface rather than finding out while we are in the water. Many times, we know we shouldn’t do something, but we jump on the bandwagon because everyone else is doing it. I know there have been times in my life that I have chosen to throw caution to the wind. However, if I had stepped back, assessed the problem rationally and weighed the good versus the bad I believe there would have been a very different outcome.

When you find yourself in a situation where you know there is danger ahead, STOP! Don’t place yourself or those you love in danger. Don’t compromise your integrity, your well-being or testimony. The world is constantly watching what you are going to do. We usually know when we are doing the right or wrong thing. We all have heard about our “gut instinct” or a “mother’s intuition.” These are real things. As believers we have the Holy Spirit who resides in us and speaks to our hearts to provide wisdom and understanding, but God always gives us a choice. God will never tempt you to do something which is contrary to His Word.

This is God’s version of “Turn Around and Don’t Drown”.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)

¹ No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.

When you are about to get in over your head, cry out to God and He will rescue you from the swift waters of sin that are trying to sweep you away from Him. There is no temptation that we face that God will not provide a way out of. This is HIS promise! Even if we suddenly find ourselves in rising waters, God will always be there to help us back to shore, but we must want to be rescued.

Let’s face it, this world is a tempting place, but we do not have to succumb to the desires of the enemy. I’m here to tell you the enemy wants to take you out! The enemy is constantly luring us to the deep water, and like the Pied Piper he plays what sounds like a beautiful song which will only lead you to a life of devastation, heartbreak, broken dreams, fear, guilt and shame. Since the devil was kicked out of heaven, his job is to make each of our lives as miserable as possible! The devil delights in trying to drown you and destroy the testimony of your life, but God wants to give you a fruitful and abundant life.

The devil loves it when we wear his garments of guilt and shame, but Jesus died so you and I could be clothed in His robe of righteousness and exchange our ashes for beauty! We no longer have to mourn over our past mistakes because Jesus paid for them on the cross and once we turn around God will do a new thing in our lives! The devil knew what he had in heaven before he fell. He knows that he is headed to eternal death. The enemy will try every trick in the book to steer you away from God, but don't be fooled by the smooth talking, lying, cheating, scoundrel that desires to cheat you out of your inheritance with God, our Father Share on XIn the meantime, the enemy will try every trick in the book to steer you away from God, but don’t be fooled by the smooth talking, lying, cheating scoundrel that desires to cheat you out of your inheritance with God, our Father! “Turn Around and Run to Jesus!” Just as God parted the Red Sea to provide safety and refuge for His people, He will do the same for you. Trust and believe!

 

Choices can change our lives profoundly. The choice to mend a broken relationship, to say “yes” to a difficult assignment, to lay aside some important work to play with a child, to visit some forgotten person–these small choices may affect many lives eternally …..Gloria Gaither