[Trust in the ‘Out of Our Control’ Storm (Part II)]
“Hurry with your answer, God! I’m nearly at the end of my rope. Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me! That would be certain death. If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must travel; I’m all ears, all eyes before you. Save me from my enemies, God — you’re my only hope! Teach me how to live to please you, because you’re my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.”
(Psalm 143:10)
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When the world is one big storm swirling around you, you can’t see ahead, and you can’t control the weather. It feels like you are stuck in the middle of the chaos without the ability to do anything but hunker down and hope that you make it through the storm alive. It might seem like God (and the world) has forgotten or ignored you; but take heart – He has not.
He is sleeping in the boat because He knows something we don’t. He knows He is in control of life and has the ability to do what is necessary and what is the best - for you and for those around you.
When we face loss – whether it is the loss of a loved one, the loss of your health or abilities, the loss of finances or work, we tend to think that God has lost control too. But we can stand assured that He is with us and will lead us through the storm. Scripture is full of stories where God shows up in the midst of chaos and pain to bring peace. The loss doesn't go away and we might not get the explanations and relief we think we need as to why we are going through it, but we can have peace and trust that we will be okay.
“Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, ‘I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,’
we can boldly quote,
God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?”
(Hebrews 13: 5-6)
God is with us, even when it doesn't seem that way, even when the storm rages and we don’t know what to do. John reminds us that we are never alone, and that we are free to stop trying to find blame. In the midst of the storms of loss and chaos, we can live in the reality that God is with us and that we are loved deeply. The storm might keep raging for awhile longer, but it will end. Just hold on.
“My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God! We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him. Again, this is God’s command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us.”
God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.
(1 John 4:17-19)
May you be reminded today that
YOU ARE LOVED
no matter what you are going through
and that
YOU CAN TRUST GOD
that you will be okay.