8.09.2011

Finding Calm in the Storm

Today...could be hard. Or it could be glorious. Today is a day when I have to chose to accept whatever God brings into my life, and I need to totally trust that He is in control - whatever the circumstances. Nothing takes Him by surprise, even though I might not understand the reason.


Today I will choose to believe that God has a reason for the various trials and situations that we currently find ourselves dealing with in life. I will chose to trust Him when life is all sunshine, and continue to trust Him when the clouds roll in. I ask for the grace to accept outcomes with peace and to share with others the Hope that we have - whatever the circumstances.

I know of other friends who are dealing with hard situations like illness, family problems, job loss, and issues in marriage, and I am reminded to pray for them, even as I ask God to help me. I pray that God would give us all the grace to get through each day, and to experience His joy during the darkest of times.


I'm reminded of the words of Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (you might know them better as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) to King Nebuchadnezzar as he was about to toss them in the fiery furnace...
"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
The part that has always struck me is that they had faith that God could save them, but even if He allowed them to die, they would still trust Him. God is faithful, no matter what you or I are going through. I will chose to trust in the Lord, even as Habakkuk did...
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains. {Hab. 3:17-19}
And I will chose to say...it is well with my soul.

5 comments:

  1. Amen! I really needed to hear those words today as I am feeling anxious. If you can, please lift up my 18-year-old son Ian in prayer today. Tomorrow he returns to high school. He is on the autism spectrum and can get quite overwhelmed and upset.... This year the school will be attempting to have things more structured and challenging for Ian, which is good, but also might lead to him getting more upset, especially as he adjusts. I confess, I am feeling afraid. : ( I have prayed but I keep feeling jittery. I'm going to try to keep saying, Lord, I trust You; Lord, I put him in Your strong and good hands; Lord, I offer up a sacrifice of praise! I may have to repeat that over and over and keep giving him to God!
    Thanks for these good words, Carrie! : )

    ReplyDelete
  2. @Sandy B. - I'm glad you found encouragement in this post and thanks for sharing with me - I'll be lifting you and Ian up in prayer. I also want to encourage you with the verse that came to my mind on Tuesday:

    Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. {Heb. 12:2}

    When the world gets crazy or you start to get anxious, fix your eyes on Jesus. That is my prayer for you. Keep me posted.

    Blessings!

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  3. Thank you for praying! : ) The first 2 days of school (half days) went pretty well for Ian. Next week will be challenging -- full days and longer classes (an hour and forty minutes - yikes!). Really appreciated your reminder to "fix my eyes on Jesus!"

    I'm lifting you up in prayer today for whatever challenging thing you are facing. May God grant you his peace and wisdom!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sandy - glad to hear the first two days went well. Will continue to pray and appreciate your prayers as well. Blessings!

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