Last week I went to visit one of my Young Life girls after she came home from knee surgery. Two of her best friends, who were also my Young Life girls, were also over visiting. As we were sitting and catching up on life, we noticed that the rain was starting up again. Earlier in the evening, I was hesitant to leave my house and go visit, just because I didn't want to get caught in the storm. However, it had cleared up enough for me to go and be there for her. As I was driving over there, this got me thinking of all of the times we stay reserved in stepping out in our faith, in fear of the hard ships we might face and the trials or mess the storm might bring. Fear holds us back.
10 "Listen, my son, accept what I say and the years of your life will be many. 11 Instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble." Proverbs 4:10-12
21 "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set His seal of ownership on us, and put His spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.....24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because its by faith you stand firm." 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22, 24
As the storm started up again while we were continuing to visit, one of the girls got really scared and wanted to go home; however none of us wanted her to leave until it cleared up enough for her to drive (the rain was coming down so hard we couldn't see across the street).
Again, I thought of all the fears storms bring and it’s when the storms come that we want to run home, where we feel the most secure. Instead of embracing the storm, we tend to fear it.
18 "You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." Job 11:18 (If you know little or none about the book of Job....he faced MANY storms and the Lord gave him security to overcome)
31 "As for God, His way is perfect. The Lord's word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him. 32 For who is God besides the lord? And who is the Rock except our God? 33 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." 2 Samuel 22: 31-33
The next day, I woke up to get ready for work, and noticed through my blinds the sun was out and all that was left were scattered leaves and a few puddles. I immediately grabbed my phone to text the one girl who I had been scared the night before. She had been up late talking with me after she got home, to help ease her fears of being "alone". I am glad she was able to turn to me as a friend, and all of this may seem cliché, but isn't that what God is for? To talk with when our fears seem to be too much, and to know we are never alone. Isn't that why he gives us storms, ensuring that we may turn to him for help? As we learn to embrace the storms we face, we start to see the sun that breaks through after the rain is gone, and that we were never alone.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. 31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind." Psalm 107 29:31
When I texted her, I simply told her that that a new day laid ahead of here, there is always calm after the storm, and God always sends the Sun. Even though we find it hard to think about that in the moment, when we are getting hit from every direction with wind, rain (and sometimes even hale), we have to remember that God always sends SUN to shine and shed light on what just happened. Just as he sent his SON to shed light on what lies ahead and clean up our mess caused by the storm of sin. This allows us to see the mess of which we were in and the strength He has given us to continue forward, On Wings Like Eagles.
31 "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
As a new storm seems to be creeping its way into Arizona , don't forget to think about:
DON'T Be Hesitant to go forward in fear of the storm.
You can ALWAYS Run Home to a safe place and you are NEVER alone.
EMBRACE the Storm, don't fear it.
There will ALWAYS be Sun after the storm, for the greatest SON has already come and continues to shine.
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm (since that's already been taken care of), but learning how to dance in the rain." - Unknown
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