What do we do when the storms recede and the winds settle? There are some days of adjustment to the calm after the storm. When you ride the waves of turmoil for a long time and the crisis ends, what is left. In my experience it was like watching a balloon when the air leaves it. I felt like I dropped to the floor limp and lifeless. Sometimes anxiety and depression comes for a visit. That is a normal response. But God does not want it to stay. He has a plan for us, to give us hope, to see the sun again.
Between 2001 and 2013 I was on the high seas continually in a storm. My mother, sister, father and finally baby sister would each become very ill and pass much too early. I try not to focus on their deaths, but what they gave me when they lived. It was the journey to, through and after that gave me hope. I was still here. Why? Slowly God took me through His word and reminded me that the storm had passed. My love ones were safe with Him and I needed to get to the business of finding something of value from the storm, as a sacrifice of praise.
I have walked the floors of my home, the halls of hospitals and stood at the bedside of my family. Spent times with my spirit screaming for God to come, to hurry, to help! One by one He came. One by one He carried them away from me to reside with Him. My prayers for healing and restoration seemed to fall on deaf ears. They were not answered exactly per my request. Please know that God’s will always wins. Sometimes they stay and sometimes they must go. We cannot see the whole picture. If they go, it is because God chose the very best for them. But what about the ones left? Father, there is a lot of pain in the wake of such loss.
Why? What possible good could come from our wilderness experiences? We all have stories, don’t we? We all have storms. I have not met a person who has lived a life without storms. We all have pain, fear, depression, heartache and discouragement at some point. It is in the times after the storm has passed that we learn why we are still here. What we have to offer. Someone is facing circumstances like each of ours. They need assurance that Jesus will step in the boat and the storm will eventually stop. I believe that God uses storm-tossed souls to spread the good news that Jesus does get in the boat with us. The winds will calm. We will be stronger than we were before. Our experience gives us a voice to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. We can encourage. We are living proof that survival is possible.
Thought For Today:
God uses storm stories, to help others. As we study and spend time with God, He replaces our storm clouds, rainy days, and depression with faith, love, compassion, forgiveness, longsuffering, hope and patience. Storms are like the refining of silver. The silversmith turns the silver in the furnace. He never leaves it alone. If the heat exceeds even the slightest degree required, the silver will be damaged. He keeps it in the heat until he can see his image reflected in the silver. We will get through our storms. God will guide us through. With each one, the reflection of Jesus becomes stronger in our life. God has a plan for each of us. We are not here by accident. We have a purpose. He loves us. After the storm calms, we find something left in us from God, to offer others. Only one thing we need to do. Release our grip of fear on the vehicle of our storm, leave it in God’s hands, and walk to the shoreline with Jesus.
Scripture For Today:
Romans 5:3-5
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (NKJV)
Proverbs 12:25
25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. (NKJV)
Hebrews 13:15-16
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (NKJV)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! Thank You for getting in the boat with us. For refining us until You see Your reflection. We pray for wisdom to hold fast to our faith and the hope that will bring us through. Reveal to each of us what we have to offer through our life experiences. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
© 2015 Kathy Ledbetter all rights reserved