Hey book club friends! So glad you are here for our discussion on “Help, I’m Drowning”!
I really liked this book! Though I had heard of her before, this was the first book of Sally Clarkson’s that I had read. I was definitely not disappointed! I thought she did a great job of sharing her life, being honest without complaining or offering trite encouragement. I felt that she had “earned” her wisdom and I could trust her when she said that God was always there and could be counted on. Sometimes life is just plain hard and it’s so easy to think we’re the only ones who have such difficulties. This book reminded me that isn’t true and if I can just retrain my thinking and allow the storms to change me (for the better) I can get a clearer view of God and how He wants me to live.
What do you think? Read through the questions and share your answers in the comments below! š
Discussion Questions
*Did the title of the book resonate with you? Do you feel you are currently (or have been) in a season of overwhelm?
*Sally said she was unprepared for how hard life was and how often it was hard. Do you relate to this?
*“Storms can be training grounds.” Do you agree with this statement? How have you seen this to be true (or untrue) in your life?
*Did you relate to the various areas Sally addressed in the book such as fear, broken expectations, disappointment, and loneliness?
*Is it comforting to know that everyone has storms in life? Do you agree with the author that knowing storms will come and preparing for them will allow us to weather them better?
*What would it look like in your life to weather your storms better?
*How do you handle a need to lament? Is it easy or difficult for you to be honest with God about difficult times? How do we reconcile lament and complaining?
*Sally writes as an older, wiser friend who comes alongside and encourages us to keep going. Do you have a friend or mentor in your life who does the same? If not, what steps could you take to initiate that relationship?
*The book ends with a call to live a life that will leave a legacy of faithfulness to God as an example to those in our lives. What kind of example do you think you are setting? What changes might need to be made in your life to leave the type of legacy the book speaks about?
*Share your favorite quote from the book.
Scripture of the Month
Romans 15:13
James 1:12
For Next Month
*Click HERE for all the details for May!
I think Iāve been weighed down by overwhelm for awhile now. Like a long while! In a strange way, I feel this is my regular state of mind and existence, so I donāt necessarily always feel highly stressed; however, I am aware of the drama around me and even more so, know Iām carrying it with me. At times, itās like a sleeping giant: still present, just not causing ruckus.
All that to say, Help, Iām Drowning really helped me try to put the difficulties and overwhelm I face into perspective. It definitely resonated with me when Sally mentioned being unprepared for how hard life is and how often it is difficult. Itās like a light bulb came on when I read those words, because I realized, in a sense, how disillusioned I had/have been about handling life and all its seasons. I really believed I would be prepared for lifeās events, particularly marriage and parenting. Honestly, in a lot of ways, I still believe Iām prepared for them. But hereās where the āahaā moment came for me when reading Sallyās words about being unprepared: Iām prepared only on my terms, and furthermore, only in a theoretical sense. Practically applying my preparedness is a whole other matter – because Iām actually able to act upon how I would imagine or āplay outā an actual real-life scenario. And since most of life involves others, I usually donāt act how I think I would (or should) because I canāt control people or whatās going on. š
Iāve been known to use two phrases when I find myself in the middle of chaos: āThis is not a drill!ā and āSerenity now!ā Depending on the situation, both of these statements can either launch me into action or despair. I donāt like that, most of the time, I donāt handle the storms of my life very well. Honestly, I donāt like that there are storms at all – but Iād settle for a few in particular to be removed right now! š¤Ŗ
Only recently though have I allowed myself to admit this to God. I know He already knows my heart, but sharing my horrible thoughts and terrible attitude with Him is embarrassing. On the one hand, I feel justified in many ways for feeling how I do, and so I donāt like having to humble myself (even if He does in fact agree with my viewpoint). On the other hand, I often feel guilty for being overwhelmed, because God has given us the tools to handle life (why canāt I figure out how to correctly use the armor of God?! š) and done so much for me (the opportunity for salvation alone is enough!), and when I compare my circumstances to a lot of othersā, itās not really that bad. And yet there I am, stuckā¦
Wanting this or that to change. Wanting him or her to be different. Wanting to escape.
Life is not going to let up. But we can let God lift us up. Iām glad Sally reminded me how we perceive and deal with storms is a choice. Often we have to will ourselves in and through faith and grace, by way of obedience to God to say or do somethingā¦or not say or do something. š We canāt access the supernatural ways on our own; itās not something we can do in our own strength.
Recently my prayers have sounded more like complaints. While thereās value in being honest with God, I believe we have to be careful while sharing our hearts so we donāt become comfortable in the negativity. Thatās where the enemy wants us to be, thatās where he wants us to stay. However, we are called to cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7) Essentially, this verse is saying to throw the negativity off of ourselves and give it to God. Sally echoed this by telling us to release our turmoil to Him: āWe can give it to God. We can tuck it into the file drawer of heaven and let Him ultimately deal with it. (Page 177)
I donāt want to grow bitter and resentful or numb and indifferent. I want to be able to feel how I do through these storms, knowing Godās not only bigger than any and all things that I face, but also right there with me no matter how rocky the boat gets or how high the waves become.