Water Under the Bridge
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
My grandmother was the queen of metaphor, simile, and idiom. I inherited her gift for the mixed metaphor. Yet, I continue to be inspired by the turn of phrases and creative expressions. For example, one of my grandmother’s favorite idioms was “It’s water under the bridge.” That is why, when I came across an article by John P. Weiss entitled “Why It’s Important to Look at Water Under the Bridge.” I read it with a smile as I thought of my Granny.
Weiss declares, “There’s a place in most of our hearts where wounds take up residence, and we must decide what kind of hosts we ought to be.” Weiss implies my grandmother was wrong for repeating the idiom. By taking our pain and shoving it under the bridge, we create higher and higher water levels until we are washed away by our unaddressed suffering. Weiss describes the malady this way, “Water under the bridge is often thought of as past events best forgiven, forgotten, or ignored.” But, unfortunately, being forgotten or ignored is not the answer. Even forgiveness is only helpful when we address pain with diligence, honesty, and faith.
Weiss warns us when he shares the quote by Frank Herbert, “Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear.” Herbert’s courageous declaration occurs because he realizes to do otherwise is obliteration. The fear of ignoring the suffering is more significant than facing the struggle from the outset. Finally, it is important to remember, “There can be peace on the other side of the bridge.” We can overcome the pain under the bridge by never forgetting there is peace on the other side.
Today, pray for God to walk across the bridge with you. You can face the fear of the high water of your past adverse events and know peace is on the other side. Trusting there is peace on the other side is the definition of faith. You cannot prove peace on the other side, but you build trust in God's care through previous experiences of the Spirit’s work in your life. You can embrace my Granny’s idiom when you dare to walk onto the bridge and face your pain. God will be there to carry you safely to the other side.