Are the storms of life pulling you under? Does it feel as though all hope is gone? I recall the days of despair and brokenness, in a period of unrest, a few years back. Many friends are facing their own storms, which has prompted me to share this story. My prayer is this message provides hope for your weary soul and a formula for peace to carry you through the storm.
The years brought much turmoil and chaos as she maneuvered her family through the storms of life. The worst came in 2012 when a young boy took his last breath in the backyard, the place that had been her summer haven. This was closely followed by a frightening micro-blast, a water-damaged home, rebellious children, car troubles, health issues, and broken relationships.
She drove home from work one night, speaking to God, and saying “You can go ahead and take me now. I can’t take any more difficult days.” Then, in the next breath saying, “No God, I take it back; I cannot do this to my boys.” On February 7, 2013, she recorded these words in her journal, “I am lost, and I don’t know how to keep going. Please, please help me! I cry out to you God!” She yearned for peace and rest from the difficult days, and God answered, “I am the Lord your God who holds your right hand, and I say to you do not be afraid I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13.
In the storm’s reflection, one can observe a distraught wife, mother, friend, who worked diligently on her relationship with God. She prepared a quiet space in her home where she reveled in God’s word every morning. She sought support in a book study group, and another and another. She experienced an intimate weekend with Jesus, on the Walk of Emmaus and read more self-help and spiritual books than she cared to count. She subscribed to daily devotions, listened to KLove and prayed daily.
The more she worked to overcome the darkness, the more intense her struggles became. As relationships continued to disappoint, she dug deeper into God’s word. She began to learn that her “battle was not against the people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.” Ephesians 6:12.
One may wonder what becomes of the woman in the reflection. Does she defeat the enemy or does she give up?
Little by little, she begins to repair the brokenness. She starts with the renewing of her mind, as she meditates on the words written in Romans 12:2, "Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then, you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect." She continues to study God’s word and memorizes scripture to replace her negative thoughts during difficult days, which was a remedy she learned from Joyce Meyer’s teachings. One of her favorite verses that took her through 2013 was Philippians 4:6: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to the Lord.”
Life doesn’t magically return to normal with this new way of thinking, but God’s scripture provides her hope for tomorrow. Slowly, she finds glimpses of peace and joy as she continues to persevere. She seeks out many resources to battle the evil forces and learns the only way is through the saving grace of her Lord, Jesus Christ. She knows the battle is real and turns to her Savior to dry her tears and to give her the Faith to face the challenges of each new day.
About the time she thinks the storms of life are diminishing, the powers of darkness pull her under again. She clutches God’s hand and seeks his Presence in nature’s beauty. He leads her to many of His mystical creations. She ravishes in the peace of the waterfall cascading over the rocks into a pool of water below. She witnesses His mighty wonder in the mountain forestry. She rejoices in the spectacular sounds of water flowing through creek bed rocks. God’s radiant beauty never ceases to amaze. It appears in the stunning rainbow after a storm, a magnificent sunset at the end of a hard day and the whisper of the wind.
I am here to tell you that restoration after a period of intense storms is hard work. But, I can tell you that my reflection of the storm looks amazingly different today. The reflection proclaims God’s glory and the peace and joy that can only be found in knowing his son, Jesus Christ, as your savior. I encourage you to listen to one of my favorite praise songs, “Show Me Your Glory” by Third Day and then to put aside your worldly possessions, if only for a day. Search for God’s spectacular, hidden treasures in the spiritual and physical realms. Just whisper, "God...Show me your glory."
May God bless you with his grace today, and I hope you share God's glory in your life. God saved me in the midst of my storm, and He can save you too. Never give up.
By Jeanette Lytle