What is a person to do when life's billows want to bellow?
How much more roaring can some take? Health. Economy. Relationships. Don't they ever feel the need to talk with their "inside" voices instead of screaming? Such clamor may not be a 24/7 things, but there is admittedly a lot of stress borne by each of us.
How do we weather these storms? The good news is that there are ways. For one, such moments are powerful times to exert our faith muscles. We choose not to believe that these crises are the final statement. We will operate from our possibility reserve.
We recall the resurrection is a daily reality. We possess resurrection power. Now this is the point too many quit....they shut down in life. Big mistake. Dark times are simply those times of the grave. Light, though, resounds from the resurrection potency of a believer.
Paul and Silas did it in prison. Praying disciples did it for Peter also in prison. Jesus did it for the lame as well as the blind. And then there was that time it was "growing dark" and 5000 wanted to eat. Remember?
What are these stories to illustrate if not that overwhelming storms can be weathered?
Eighteen years ago our family began a walk in a horrific storm. Wendy's fiance and his brother were murdered. By the time I got to the murder scene, my daughter had no appearance of blood in her body. She was so pale she appeared embalmed. It was a startling and stunning night of pure horror.
What a time for Jesus. What a time to learn more about his ways. What a time to learn to pray in thanksgiving when all indicators were the storm may not be over. A picture of Bobby and Wendy was found on the stairway which indicated the murderer(s) knew her as well. The police informed us of their concern.
During the following days a squirrel happened to break into our attic. It had the same sound as possibly a person up there...we couldn't tell. We were given strict orders to call the police at the slightest unusuality. We called 911 explaining we just couldn't tell if it was a person, an animal, or the wind. Squad cars, dogs, and a helicopter soon surrounded our home.
It was a living nightmare as media camped out in our living room and police patrolled our street. A guard dog was brought in to live with us. It made us sick.
But God. God was remarkable. He showed up. He shared His promises of peace.
I know you hurt over a few things; some of you many things. I believe your evaluation. Do what you can to direct your attention to His resurrection power embedded within. It is there for a purpose. We have every reason to rise up in victory; not lie down in defeat.
Bless you as you sort through the darkness of confusion and disorientation. I've been there. Our Father was there long before we came into existence. Trust Him when you can't trust your own judgment in settings too rugged. You can weather the storms as He gives each resurrection power.
No comments:
Post a Comment