In the book Win The Day, Mark Batterson describes seven different habits we can apply to our day to day lives in order to stress less and accomplish more.

Batterson named one of these habits “Kiss the Wave,” referring to the practice of embracing undesired situations and making the best out of them. We often question situations in life, choices we have consciously made or circumstances we had no control over and wonder why they came to be. This reminds me of the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He went to God not once, not twice, but three times asking him to “let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will”
(Matthew 26:36-46).

The fact that even Jesus struggled “kissing the wave” makes us understand it is a difficult task to do. If it were as easy as turning the page and moving on, Jesus would not have insisted three times to avoid His suffering.

However, the Bible is clear about our role we play in the greater picture. As Romans 9 says, “...who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’”

Truth is, many times we will have absolutely no control on the outcome of our situations. We can choose to remain sorrowful and pity ourselves, or choose to accept them and use the lessons learned to be propelled towards a better future. As the book says, “if you don’t own it, it will own you.” Focus on the lesson God can teach you through your situation and choose to focus on Him.

Let yourself be molded by the Potter and let Him shape you into the vessel He desires you to be. The night I finally realized how far away from the Father I was, anxiety consumed me. I was so weary thinking about all my mistakes and my mind started to spiral immediately. My past
consumed me for so many months and blocked me from beginning my healing journey. It took a while to get out of my head and finally accept the grace of the Father over my life.

One of the practices the book illustrates can help you avoid just that: “win or lose, [give yourself] a twenty four hour window to celebrate the win or lament the loss.” I have learned that it is okay to feel the way I feel, as long as I learn to compartmentalize my feelings and eventually move on. In the end, my identity is rooted in Christ, and as Psalm 139:16 says, “ in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

God is calling us to live without fear, trusting Him in our day to day, and understanding that although life can get messy sometimes, God is still in control. I get to choose to see past my mistakes and failures and instead use them to lead me to greater things God is calling me towards. I have a
choice to let myself be the clay in the Potter’s hands and be okay with His design decisions.

In the end, healing is a journey, but salvation is immediate. I am allowed to question and be hurt. I am allowed to feel through my emotions and take some time to cope with my past struggles. However, the sacrifice of Jesus is valid once and for all and I can walk in freedom and ride the wave of pain the second I come into His presence.

Letting go and kissing the wave is certainly a hard lesson to learn, but it is the beginning of living the true life God is calling you to live.