Have you ever just taken a step back from your life and looked around and thought “what in the world is going on here?”
Life is good. I’m breathing, I’m healthy and I’m blessed.
But…
Recently, whilst in my own little bubble, doing what I do on a daily basis, I realized that very near to me there were storms just a brewing. I was seeing through my pereferial vision a little here and a little over there. Cue the wind, cue the rain and cue the thunder.
We’ve rowed our little boat of life through storms before, but never like this. Suddenly I realized we had things brewing in all four corners and it wasn’t going to be enough to just grab a paddle and make our way through. At least, not a quick pass.
These storms, these challenges, were not going to be fixed with a three step program.or just blow through quickly like a Summer pop-up storm.
They may take some time.
In the midst of storms, in the midst of blinding rain and giant waves that bring on fear and nausea…don’t we want to grab hold of something solid? Something unswerving? Then, to squeeze tightly and refuse to let go?
When the initial shock and reality sinks in that storms will be walked through, our bodies can react before our brains process. Ever experienced this? Mind numbing moods…blank stares…deep, distracting thoughts…muscle tension…even nauseau (I hope that’s not just me lol).
After realizing I was in danger of being tossed to and fro by some of life’s storms, I knew that I had better get a game plan together.
I dug deep into scripture. I grabbed onto Jesus and His words and refused to let go without seeking wise counsel. He’s my anchor. He can be your anchor too.
And ya’ll, He’s faithful.
He. Doesn’t. Swerve.
As I read, wrote, prayed and read some more, I realized just how good I had had it for so long. The gentle waves of life had lulled me into a rut. A place where I could manage things just fine with very little help.
Now I was feeling like the person sitting on the edge of one of those blobs at summer camp and I had just been shot helplessly into the air. Kinda like this lady, only I wasn’t smiling!
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
I’m a visual person, here’s what I began to see as I scurried to Him for protection from these storms.
As a believer, a child of God, a christian, I’m not in a little dinghie in the middle of the sea all alone. I’m on a big ship with God as the Captain. A large vessel that is incapable of sinking because the one who crafted the ship is the same one who created and controls the waves and wind. I see myself now looking over the rail, peering down at what has me bewildered, standing on the solid ground of faith.
When we are battling storms and feeling overwhelmed and afraid, He says “fear not”. He says “trust me and I will fill you with joy and peace”.
Maybe you are facing an approaching storm. You can see it coming and there is nothing you can do about it. Or maybe you’re already in it. You feel helpless, a little beat up and afraid that you’ll get knocked in the head with flying debris. Or, you’ve been in a storm for a while and you’re just tired. Feeling hopeless.
Like those people who are lost at sea in their little yellow rafts, you want to just lie back, close your eyes and hope it all goes away.
And what do we do in the meantime? Sit? Cry? Pout? Complain? Moan? Whoa. Is. Me.
No.
Believers…we know the Captain. We know the maker of the wind and waves. He allows trials and tribulations to come if they will draw us closer to Him. If they will throw a light in His direction, pointing others His way. Our momentary troubles have purpose. A purpose greater than we will ever know in its entirity. So for now, it’s not about us, IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM (It may come as a shock that our lives aren’t all about us to some, but it’s the truth)!
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
We know that trials will come. Let’s be ready. Let’s read the manual, get close to the Captain and listen and follow His instructions. Let’s put on our protective gear. Let’s rally with our fellow brothers and sisters and encourage and pray and advise and focus on the joy that is offered in the middle of these storms of life.
Let’s thank Him for the shelter He offers in the storms.
Let’s thank Him for keeping us on track during blinding rains.
Let’s thank Him for comforting us when the thunder claps catch us off guard.
These storms are temporary.
I guarantee it…better yet…HE guarantees it 😉
Praying that we all choose HIM when the storm clouds begin to gather,
Blessings,
Kellie
Simple Faith 