In the Storm

My heart was pounding in my chest, my stomach was in knots, my breath was short and shallow. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep. My energy was zapped. I just wanted peace, but it wasn't coming. I was beside myself with the business ahead of me. I don't like conflict. Why do I need to do all these hard things, Lord?

I had listed the circumstances of great concern to me on a couple of whiteboards so I would be praying about them. But, really that was a silly strategy, because that's all I was doing all day long is crying out to God about these things!

Too consumed to focus on my job, and too emotional to keep it together at work, I took some PTO and headed home. I listened to our Sunday church service since I had been with my kids at their church on the weekend. Pastor Troy had just returned from the Holy Land and was sharing his own photos of the sea of Galilee as he told the story of Jesus walking on water in Matthew 14. Not knowing what was coming toward them, the disciples were terrified, crying out in fear. (That pretty well described me, too.) "Take courage," Jesus said, "It is I. Don't be afraid."

Then, Peter was actually able to walk on the water to Jesus... until he started noticing the wind and the waves, instead of keeping His eyes on Jesus. He lost his focus and that's when he started to sink. (Yes, I realized, that's exactly what had happened to me!)

How many times have I learned that when I abide, He provides?? Though I was saying the prayers and the words, my heart was still anguishing at the potential unknowns ahead of me. I was focusing on all the wrong things!

I pondered this timely message over the last few days, letting it sink in deeper. It was no accident I heard that story at that particular time!

This morning, I erased all the circumstances I had written on my whiteboards. I certainly don't need to be reminded of them -- and Jesus doesn't either! Instead I wrote all the things that encourage me -- His truths, His words, song lyrics that remind me where my focus should be.

Even now, I am still "in the storm" (the circumstances are still there, along with several unknowns), but I finally have more peace.

I can praise Him even in the storm, because I know that through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all.

Gracious Lord, thank you for the peace we can have when we are under your wing, abiding in you. I know, somehow, you have a deeper meaning and purpose in these hard things. If you bring us to them, you will bring us through them. Most of all, I know you are with me and would never leave me. I will keep my eyes on you, where they belong.

Through the Storm

As we drove through the vast, flat plains of Saskatchewan a couple weeks ago, we saw black storms raging all around us in the distance, yet our road remained clear and dry. We thanked God for lighting our path and keeping us out of the storm, for now. I thought of the storms some of my dear friends are now suffering in their lives. I ache for them as they are overwhelmed by the torrential rains and floods in their lives -- trying to make some sense of the loss of their child, find joy amidst a myriad of health problems, or remain hopeful in a painful relationship.

Then the next morning, the rain was upon us as we drove near Lethbridge, Alberta. By the looks of the weather forecast at breakfast, we thought we would be able to drive through the storm and back into sunshine by the time we got to Glacier National Park, Montana, our vacation destination.

It made me think of how a storm in our lives might make us slow down... or even stop, rather than pushing through. Isn't it our natural inclination to be extra cautious, to hesitate or to fear? But if we would slow down or stop and wait for better weather, we would actually be in our storms longer! Instead, by casting all our cares on Him, we can take God's hand and move through the storm to the clear skies that are awaiting beyond the storm. It was a perspective that gave me hope. Hope I want to pass on to my beloved friends.

A little while later, I opened my Bible. Funny how it was only minutes and the sky turned blue again. I guess we shouldn't be surprised how our Lord calms the storms when we turn to His Word!

Later we saw some of the most brilliant rainbows we'd ever seen. The picture above was taken in the foothills just outside of Glacier National Park. What a beautiful reminder it was of God's promises!

Whether you are in the midst of a storm or are helping others face their storms, take heart:

Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always. (Psalm 105:4 NIV)

You came near when I called You, and You said, "Do not fear." (Lamentations 3:57 NIV)

For I am the LORD, your God,
       who takes hold of your right hand
       and says to you, Do not fear;
       I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)


Lord, I pray for all those in the midst of a storm. Would You take each one by the hand and lead them through it? Give them Your peace, Your direction and Your strength to move ahead.