When the Storms Come

We had a rough night around here.  Heavy wind and rain, thunderstorms, hail.  Not much sleep.

It was nothing compared to what many across the South had to deal with yesterday.  There were no tornadoes here in my part of the world, and for that I am extremely grateful.  And my heart goes out to those who are enduring such devastation.  It's almost beyond what we can comprehend.

While many dealt with tornadoes and thunderstorms yesterday and last night, there are many others who are dealing with storms of different kinds.  Illness, bereavement, financial strain, job loss, stresses of all kinds. Weather-related storms are not the only storms we have to face in life.  Our storms come in many different forms, and none of us is immune.

What do we do when the storms come?  (And they will come!)  How do we cope?

I was thinking about that last night as I was tossing and turning, unable to sleep, listening to the storm howl.  These Scripture verses came to mind.

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in You."  (Psalm 56:3 ESV)

"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving."  (Colossians 4:2 NASB)    (You may recognize that verse from yesterday!)

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."            (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV)  Note that it doesn't say give thanks "for" all circumstances, but give thanks "in" all circumstances!

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus."  (Hebrews 12:2 NASB)

"Be still and know that I am God."  (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

Whatever storm may be coming your way today, your "shelter" is the same:  keep your eyes on Jesus and not on the storm!

 

"The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide,

A Shelter in the time of storm;

Secure whatever ill betide,

A Shelter in the time of storm.

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A weary land, a weary land;

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,

A Shelter in the time of storm."

(words:Vernon A. Charlesworth; music: Ira Sankey)