After The Storm

 

One of my Rest Ministries devotions:

I would hurry to my place of shelter,

    far from the tempest and storm.” Psalm 55:8

I stood looking up into a beautiful starlit sky. Just hours before, terrible storms had rolled through, and states to our west had been struck by numerous tornadoes spawned by the storm that hit us. The lights had flickered at our house, the tornado siren had gone off in town, but all was peaceful and calm now.

Yet there was no peace and calm for those who had lost loved ones, homes, their neighborhoods, and the stable world they were used to. Their peace had been shattered by the tornado-producing storm. 

As bad as the storms of our life may be, I sometimes think that it is the time after a storm that is the worst. During the storms of our lives we take shelter, perhaps gather flashlights and candles, we act, we prepare, we are doing something even if it is merely seeking shelter. But afterward, we have time to think, to count the cost, and to become fearful of the next storm that comes our way.

It cannot be emphasized enough how badly we need Jesus. We could lose everything around us, loved ones, friends, homes, all of our belongings, but if we have Jesus we have comfort, hope, and a way to find peace despite the terrible events.

The storms in your life may not bring tornadoes, but they can feel just as earth-shaking. A diagnosis of cancer, or some other terminal illness, financial problems, loss of a loved one, such things can rock our ordinary world. 

I cannot promise you that deadly or dangerous storms will never enter your life, but what I can promise you from God’s word is that Jesus will come into your storm and help you if you let Him. He can heal your brokenness, restore your peace after the storm strikes, and give you courage to face the storms that will come down the road. Jesus will not forsake you, even if you lose everything else, Jesus will be there before, during, and after the storm passes.

Prayer: Dear Lord, how we hate storms! Yet give us courage to face everything that batters our life. Keep us strong through the tempests that come our way. Amen.