“I’m in WAY over my head,” I sobbed. “I don’t know what I was thinking coming to school here!”
My parents listened patiently as I broke down over the phone. They did their best to console me,
“Everybody feels this way their first year in college. You can do it, you just have to study harder!”
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I breezed through high school and graduated at the top of my class, but now I struggled to make Cs. And the class killing me was 5-hour engineering calculus.
“But I’m making a D!” I confessed, “Do you know what that’ll do to my GPA?”
Sadly, I found out what a 5-hour D does to your GPA, especially in your first term.
College wasn’t the last time I experienced that “in over my head” feeling. In fact, it seems to be an inevitable part of life, sometimes designed by God to remind me that He’s in charge.
I wonder if Joshua felt that way as he led the Israelites into Canaan, especially during the campaign against Ai (Joshua 7-8). He proceeded in a logical manner:
sent spies out on a reconnaissance mission,
listened to their advice and
sent a small group to attack the little town of Ai.
To Joshua’s astonishment, the men of Ai soundly defeated the Israelites and sent his disheartened men bolting back to camp.
Then Joshua did what we all do: cried out to God and asked why He let this happen. You can hear an echo of “in over my head” when Joshua wishes he’d been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan River.
I love God’s no-nonsense response:
Photo Courtesy Chaiwat ~ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Get up, clean up and
deal with the sin in the camp.
Then we’ll get going again.
~Joshua 7:10-13
(suz paraphrase)
Joshua did just that, and waited for the Lord’s orders to move out. As he led the Israelites into the Promised Land, Joshua learned five important lessons that apply to us today:
1. Always Pray First
God blessed General Joshua with a brilliant military mind and unmatched leadership skills. They served him well, but only when used in tandem with God’s command and His Spirit. Prayer also revealed hidden sin that jeopardized the mission.
2. Be Flexible
Different territories call for different strategies. Joshua wasn’t afraid to try something new.
3. Watch Who You Listen To
Be wary of new friends who want to be your allies (Joshua 8), and also be careful whose advice you seek (Joshua 7).
4. Give It Your Best
After the defeat at Ai, Joshua never again went into battle without ALL his troops. If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing WELL.
5. Celebrate Every Victory
Joshua led the Israelites in worship after they conquered Ai, and he was careful to honor God with every victory.
I’ve learned those lessons in what my dad calls “The School of Hard Knocks.” I retook 5-hour calc, stayed on track with my major and learned a lot during my four years at Virginia Tech.
The most important lesson, and one that grows more precious each year, is that GOD is the only one Who’s ALWAYS there when I’m “in over my head.”
Susan, I LOVE your paraphrase of Joshua 7:10-13! What a great summary of what God is saying to Joshua and the people of Israel. I think you know that I’m doing Shannon Mullins’ Living Power online Bible study, and I love reading and taking to heart the messages God has for us in His Word. I’m especially loving that for the first time I’m really digging into the Old Testament as a whole, I’m seeing His truth come through over and over again as He dealt with Israel.
And you’re right–His messages to Israel and to us are often that–”Get up, clean up, and deal with your sin!” Thank you for the vivid reminder!
Thanks for stopping by, Vonda! OT passages are some of my favorites because the lessons aren’t always obvious and you have to dig. But the “get up, clean up” lesson is one that rings throughout scripture!
I hope you’ll share more about Shannon’s study. It sounds great!
VA to SC hugs to you today!
~Susan
Reminds me of today’s saying:
“Grow up, pull up your big girl panties, and quit the middle-school behavior” .
Your points #2 $ #3 stood out this morning!
Thanks!
xoxox
Hahaha I love the “big girl panties” line — it’s a favorite at our house! So is Save the drama for your mama, except that I’m the mama…
Thanks for stopping by!!
xoxoxox
God will always let you know when you’ve plowed out before Him trusting yourself over Him. But with His love and mercy He will make sure you’re behind Him following His lead and He will show you the way.
Loved your post and meeting you (over from WFW).
Blessings,
Felecia
Thanks so much for hopping over, Felecia! And you’re so right — God wastes little time in showing us when we’re out of His will, and I’m so thankful for that!! Also thankful for His mercy and grace. He saves me from a lot of trouble
Hugs from VA,
Susan
“In over my head?” Uh, every weekend, or at least it feels that way! Thanks for the timely reminder! Love you!
Always keeping you in prayer, sweet Jamie. You’re stronger than you know.
Love you!!
That was a great analogy, and a WONDERFUL reminder to ‘pray FIRST’…..I love Joyce Meyer’s saying, “Go to the throne, before you go to the phone”. (I wonder if Joshua had a cell phone….or if he tweeted?
Joyce has the best one-liners, doesn’t she! And tweeting? Not for somebody with a big honkin’ SHOFAR
Literally… the honkin’ part…
I’m on my game today
Love this one, Susan, especially your paraphrase of that Joshua 7 passage. My “in over my head” moment occurred about 6 years ago. Although I *said* and *thought* I was writing for the Lord, in reality I wanted the income and recognition. I will always be thankful that God enabled me to see this. I immediately stopped all writing for about 3 years as I prayed and waited on God’s timing, knowing that He might even say “no more writing.” That was hard for me to admit and agree with since I have always wanted to be a writer.
BUT God slowly worked on my heart, and one day I felt the sudden urge to write again, but not the fiction and nonfiction of before. Now God showed me that He wants me to write devotionals to show others His grace, mercy, faithfulness and love. AND He hooked me up with someone I did not even know at the time, a fellow believer who had an online devotional ministry — who just “happened” to be looking for devotional writers. (This is a great story in itself that I’ll share on my blog one day soon.)
A couple of years after this, God also put the urge in me to start up my blog, and that’s where I am today, praising the Lord and spreading His message in my writing as long as He allows me to.
Blessings on your day, dear Susan! I absolutely love your writing!
~Anna
Thanks so much, Anna! I’m so glad you stopped by and your sweet & thoughtful comments make my day! I’m so impressed with your posting schedule. You Rock!!
Hugs from VA!
Susan
Great blog!! I agree with Sandi the “Prayer” should be the first. We can pull and stump our feet & nothing is going to change but wait & pray to God. Please pray for the wildfire in Colorado Springs as well, my daughter lives 5 miles away but they have the I-25 protecting them. The flying W Ranch that they took us out to eat was burned down. Prayers for RAIN is needed. USAFA was evacuated already. Thanks.
Whoa, check it out — 3 Arizona friends in a row!! I’m glad you had fun with Jenny and the kids, and I’ll definitely keep them in my prayers. How scary to look out your back window and see FIRE blazing from across the way. Praying for EVERYBODY out in CO and for God to send soaking rains!
Thanks, Anita!!
Susan, Keep sharing the good news and the insights you get from God. He loves you and I do too.
Thanks, Mom — Love you!!
I can’t wait to “sit under your teaching” face to face in 2 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So excited…beyond words!
Your post, as always, was outstanding, challenging, and thought provoking!
Love you!
Thanks, Kristi — two more days!!!!!!!
Love you too!!!
You are such a wise soul. (And I love that your mama is in the comment box. How blessed you are.)
Not so sure about the wisdom, but I AM blessed! So glad you stopped by, Jennifer. Loved your post on Ann’s site
Once the victory is assured, we’re quick to forget Who enabled us. Thanks for the reminder to return thanks and worship. Good word, Susan!
Thanks, Kirsten! Glad you stopped by today
Amen, appreciate your sharing.
Thank you, Denise!
I appreciate how you brought out that Joshua was skilled in battle, but those skills served him best when he worked in tandem with the Lord.
He gives us natural talents and spiritual gifts, but we must use them in His service, following His leading.
Thanks for linking up at WIP Wednesday!
Mary Beth
newlifesteward.com
I’ve enjoyed studying the life of Joshua. There’s so much more to him than the battle at Jericho
Thanks for stopping by, Mary Beth!
I love Old Testament passages, Susan — and I especially appreciated your paraphrase. Often, when I find I’m over my head it’s because I didn’t take the time to heed your first “lesson” – pray!
I hear you, Cathy. That entire lesson outline came from personal experience, most of it the “hard knocks” kind!
Thanks for stopping by today!
This is my favorite of you blogs so far! I love the lay out, advise and the adorable “suz paraphrase”. Did you know there is a complimentary commentary call Translated according to Di? (laughing)
“Different territories call for different strategies ” – great point.
Wow! Virginia Tech…impressive!
LOL I tweet with (suz) and I love to hear other people’s translations! He speaks to us individually, so each of us should claim a moniker!
And yes to VT. Four of the hardest years of my life, especially when my start was less than stellar. It’s a great school on a beautiful campus, and it’s in our blood: my dad went there, then me (and Steve), now my son Scott!
)
GO HOKIES!! (With love and props to all my SEC buddies
Wonderful insight, Susan. Times of failing when doing things in my own strength have been times I’ve grown the most with the Lord. The biggest defeat I ever had completely shook me and revealed my need to surrender myself to God. It’s changed our relationship forever.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jeanette, long time no see!! Thanks for stopping by and for sharing your struggle. It’s amazing the way He gets our attention and gives us a new perspective — HIS perspective.
I hope you start posting again soon!
Hugs from VA,
Susan
Oh, in over my head often… especially as I’m aging. I DID fit into your Joshua study portion. I’ve been an OT studier for many years and that is one of the toughest times Joshua had. But the Lord redeemed that situation. I happen also to be a “knee-jerk” ministry person. So often I deal with emergency or intensity situations, partly b/c others can’t. FOR INSTANCE, while I am reading this and other posts, I have a little while before I have to pick up a bunch of Bhutanese family members up the street and take them to the airport so they can greet/meet 10 of their family who are arriving from Nepal. My husband blesses me and sends me off. BUT the real blessing is being there to watch them rejoice when the family arrives. I’ll leave home about 10:30 tonight and be home about midnight. But being able to serve the Lord and bless these dear ones this way just can’t make me happier. Bless you and your thoughtful teaching.
Wow, Joanne — how wonderful to have a flexible schedule and be able to pick up and go whenever there is a need! That’s one thing I’ve enjoyed about my empty nest. I still miss my birdies but I’m proud of them and excited for the next chapter of their lives AND the next chapter of mine!
I know you were a tremendous blessing to those folks, and what a great joy for you to be a part of their reunion. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your testimony!
Hugs from VA,
Susan
Oh, the lessons here are amazing! I especially love the one about praying first. I completely concur that we can have the most brilliant talents and skills, but if it’s not “used in tandem with God’s command and His Spirit,” then those efforts are all in vain for our own right. And that just gets us in over our heads even more! Thank you for letting God share His wisdom through your writing!
Love and God Bless,
Christy
I love digging the truths from those OT passages — SO rich. Thanks for stopping by, Christy – I appreciate your comments and encouragement!