"It is I; be not afraid."
JOHN 6:18-20
GROWTH IN THE STORMS OF LIFE
In the Bible there are "CORRECTING STORMS" and there are "PERFECTING STORMS!" Jonah, who spent the night on a foam blubber mattress, was inside a big fish or whale because he was out of the will of God. He was running from God. So God sent a "Correcting Storm!"
But there are also "Perfecting Storms." Jesus' disciples weren't out of the will of God. So why were they in a storm? Because--don't miss this--they were in the will of God. It was Jesus, Matthew tells us, who directed them to get into the boat and sail ahead, across the Sea of Galilee.
The disciples were in this storm because they were obeying Jesus. Why would Jesus want the to be in a storm? Because He wanted them to grow to be "STRONG in THEIR FAITH and in THEIR TRUST!"
WHAT PLEASURE AND SORROWS TEACH US
"I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way. But left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow, not a word said she. But oh, the things I learned from sorrow, when sorrow walked with me." Now, is this not the truth?? -Robert Browning Hamilton
It might do us all well to ask ourselves what are our storms teaching us? And, are they "Correcting or Perfecting" storms?
ONE OF MY SORROWS
I thought of my younger brothers death today... and had to tell myself that "God was there to comfort him as the angels carried him to his new home!"
I can't help but think of that today because my good neighbor friend passed away last evening. God had spoken to me Monday night saying, "Go next door and spend time with her, because she is afraid to die."
I went the very next day on Tuesday and I talked to her. I read a psalm to her, I sang "Amazing Grace and I Surrender All" to the soft music playing in the background. And then I prayed with her and asked the Lord to comfort her and send His angels to guide her home. I also asked Him to take all her fears away... because we had talked about accepting Jesus years ago.
Her daughter told me that Hospice said, "She could live up to another month." But the Lord told me, "She was peaceful now and His angels would soon escort her to her new home." The angels came Wednesday evening and she is at peace and with Jesus today. (See Luke 16:22 and 2 Corinthians 5:8)
WHEN SORROWS COME YOUR WAY
Someone once told me that "FAITH IS LIKE FILM!" It's developed in the dark. That is very true. For that's when we learn to trust the Lord for EVERYTHING in our lives. That's when we learn to focus on those around us who need a helping hand. That's when we learn to "PRAY EVERYDAY!" That's when we learn to "Live close to Jesus!"
My friend Lori, whom I love dearly has struggled through colon cancer. Because of the STORM in her own life she now has a ministry to help cancer patients and their families. I've told her she will have "Light and Dark" times and to keep her faith strong she will have to learn that those times will truly touch her life. She will need Jesus to help her through them... as do all of us, if we choose to be a light in this dark world!
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for this day that You have gifted to us. Teach us to walk with you more closely each day. Teach us to love the way that You love. Teach us to learn from the trials we go through. Help us to realize that these storms of life teach us lessons that nothing else will. And, Lord help us to Trust You in the midst of our storms and to learn from them, so that we can be a light in this dark world. Thank You for loving us the way that You do, amen.
BELOW: Till The Storm Passes By (Live) - Gaither Vocal Band