“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; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2

There has been a series of challenges throughout my life, and especially through the past couple years. This verse reminds me that God is always looking out for me, which is why I have been able to persevere through these challenges. The first major challenge in my life

occurred two years ago when I found out that I was moving away from Stevens Point, which had been my home for my entire life, to Hudson. Having been a shy kid for most of my life, I had finally felt like I was starting to fit in. The thought of starting high school and not knowing anyone terrified me. The first few weeks were lonely while we moved in and summer came to an end. Then, two weeks before school started, I had my first cross country practice. I was so nervous to go that I almost didn’t go to the first practice, but I am so happy that I ended up going. Everyone there was so welcoming to me and it was nothing like I imagined it would be. It felt like God was acting through each and every one of my teammates, whether they believed in God or not. 

Later in the school year, I went through a period where it seemed like challenge after challenge was being thrown at me. I had tried out diving last year, and it went well until later in the season when I started to get sick. It took me out of diving for a couple weeks and I never felt like I recovered fully. Then the track season began, I still wasn’t feeling physically well, but the start of the season wasn’t too bad. My performances continuously declined throughout the season though. I couldn’t understand how I could possibly be getting worse until I went into the doctors to find out I had pneumonia. I had to finish out the season by taking it easy which is something I have never liked to do. I couldn’t understand what I had done to deserve all of these obstacles that were being put in my way. In the end, by looking at my challenges, I was more determined than ever to work hard, recover, and return to the sport that I love. All the while, I knew that God would be there to guide me through the deep waters.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that you guide Your people through any hardship that they may be going through in their lives and not let them lose sight of what is important to them.

Max Bevers