Getting out of Quicksand

Just the title brings up so many thoughts. I used to love to watch "Gilligan's Island". That poor guy always managed to stumble onto a patch of quicksand somewhere on the island. I remember when all the crew found was his little sailor's cap floating in the mire and they assumed him dead. But, as usual, Gilligan was just fine and they were no closer to being rescued from their tropical paradise.

Figuratively speaking, we've all been in a little quicksand at times. Perhaps your quicksand is your finances and you're stuck in debt. Maybe someone else is paddling in the quicksand of divorce or poisonous relationships. Sometimes our jobs are gigantic pits of quicksand, just sucking us down further every day. All of us have experienced emotional or spiritual quicksand that paralyzes our lives and those closest to us.

What practical help can you offer to someone who is stuck in "quicksand"? What would Survivor Man tell them?

Well, the true Man who survived all the world could throw at him, including death on the cross says this, "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the minds of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's plan." (Romans 8:26-27).

What's that mean to me? Because God knows our thoughts, we can share them with Him and admit we don't understand. Normally, I don't like people to put words in my mouth but when the Holy Spirit does my beckoning it's the perfect answer to my problem.

We could be like Gilligan and wait for someone to come along and pull us out. That would be a wonderful ending to a perfect nightmare. Seeing that hand coming down to save you from all your fears and doubts would be awesome. But, how often can people truly lift you from your burdens completely?

More likely you're treading in your quicksand. Maybe you're practicing yoga to center your mind or maybe a counselor has given you exercises to redirect your thoughts on healthy things or relationships. Credit counselors often have very wise methods to rearrange our priorities and get us back on track financially but often we just "rob Peter to pay Paul" and continue nickel-and-diming our way into more debt. We're just struggling through the motions when we really need a life-change.

Struggling to get out of quicksand only makes you sink deeper. By fighting against yourself and your situation you actually cause more harm.

The true way to survive quicksand is this: RELAX, lie back in the sand, take a deep breath, fill your lungs with air and allow your limbs to float to the top. Did you know that?

We can take similar actions when we feel the cold chill of quicksand rising up in our lives. Relax...ask Jesus to perform what He promises to release us from our bondage.

Although we've heard of people healed of drug or alcohol addictions instantly, we all don't get a supernatural rescue. Often God's answer to your prayer is "I'll provide the strength and wisdom but I need you to work this one out to make you strong and more mature."

I think this is where ts applies to our finances. If God were to come and pay all my debts supernaturally I wouldn't be any wiser. I'd be thankful, temporarily, but eventually I'd probably go right back to my old ways of spending and create another quicksand of debt.

So, let's say you've relaxed and floated yourself to the top of the murky mire but no one came to rescue you. Now what? Well, it's going to be tough but here's the next step.

You can still escape by slowly moving your arms above your head, putting them slightly in the quicksand and swimming slowly to the edge, as if doing a slow-motion backstroke. It may take several hours just to "swim" a few feet but freedom is available on the bank if you're persistent.

It may take your months or years to reach the safety of the bank. Freedom rests on that bank and it's worth all the work and your persistence. Day after day we have to remind ourselves that "...whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24). Also John 15:7 tells us, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you." If you're praying in God's will, He is faithful to answer you.

Real freedom comes from a relationship with God and allowing God's Word to become alive in us. I love Galatians 5:1 that says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery."

Do you see the picture? Can you visualize yourself free from the burdens that keep you struggling in your own quicksand? One stroke at at time is all you're asked to do.

We can't all be like Gilligan who always finds some monkey to throw him a vine and rescue him. I loved Gilligan but he just never got it. Even though he was surrounded by rich friends, smart friends and attractive friends, he still couldn't get off that island. He had a life-ring but we all need a Savior.

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