Storms.
When I was little I was terrified of them, especially if
they were at night. They would blow up
and I would huddle in my bed afraid to breathe.
Even pulling the covers over my head didn’t seem to help! As the thunder
got louder and the lightning popped brighter, I would tremble beneath the
covers until it began to pass. Only as
the storm passed by could I breathe easier and rest.
Life is a lot like that.
Storms come. They blow in like a gale sometimes and almost take our
breath away with their suddenness. The
disciples knew all about this kind of fear.
Remember when they were out on the boat and the storm blew up? They were
mad at Jesus for sleeping while they trembled for their life! All it took to
calm the storm was for Jesus to show up and speak peace over it.
Sometimes life takes our breath away. Things happen that we
have no control over. What we have to
remember, however, is that we know the one who controls it all. Jesus is able to speak peace over any
situation we find ourselves. What keeps
us from feeling that peace is us.
Sometimes we prevent Jesus from doing what he does best—taking care of
us. He may not choose to resolve the
situation as we would choose, but he always speaks peace over us when we allow
him to.
My daddy had a stroke a few months ago after going into the
hospital for a fairly minor procedure.
He is diabetic and needed a toe amputated. Several tests later and he
needed his entire leg amputated.
Somewhere in the midst of that day, he had a stroke that affected the
only good leg he had left as his entire right side was paralyzed. His speech and swallowing were also
affected. He spent weeks in the hospital
and I truly never believed he would come home again. I just knew we would lose
him. For a while I fretted and worried
and then something marvelous happened. Jesus spoke peace over me. I suddenly knew beyond a shadow of a doubt
that whatever happened, Jesus would carry me through it. Whether that meant
carrying daddy home to heaven, a convalescent home, or a miraculous healing I
knew that we were in the safest place we could be—Jesus’ hands.
Daddy is recovering at home.
Now tell me that God is not a God of second chances and miracles!
I don’t know what storms you are experiencing, but I pray
that you are allowing God to speak peace over you.
Blessings!
