I love a good storm! Now I know that sounds weird, but lightning bolts flashing across the sky, thunderous roars piercing the quiet night, torrential rain rioting on the roof--I LOVE it--when I'm safe inside, just watching and listening, preferably in the DARK! That, remarkably, is my own very warped idea of wonderful drama--and way-out delight! Now, of course, if DANGER is involved, get me OUT of there...I'm talking SAFETY in the middle of the storm. I'm a sensational dramatist at heart--as long as I'm SAFE...and could I tell stories! Suffice it to say that my sense of excitement is a little wild and wacky for a mid-life mama, but it does beat BORING!
There IS one kind of storm I don't like--till it's over--and it's the kind of Biblical storm and LIFE storm which hits us all at one time or another. It's my favorite story, perhaps because I relate, and you've guessed by now where I am going--to the Gospels for the storm scene we've heard from childhood. What a story...and where's the GUARD? Would you believe, He is sound asleep in the middle of it all! We better take a quick run to the Well--with rain ponchos--to see what in the world in going on, once again! (Anyone visitng my devos regularly knows I return again and again to this scene--so, if you enjoy reruns, come along!)
A Helping Word...or
Two!
Before the Storm...He's there!
Peace to secure my mind!
The storm has not happened YET...but the disciples see it coming. The worry warts probably had it all figured out. "That little black cloud on the horizon will get bigger and bigger. It will move right over our boat, we will capsize and the storm will wash us all away!" Of course, right now, it is smooth sailing and sunny sky. But, "Look, John--that cloud way over there--I just KNOW a BIG storm is on its way." Then a drip, then a drop, then a deluge...."See, John? I was RIGHT. I think we should all start getting scared NOW!" If you are blessed with creativity and an over-active imagination, you relate. Events which may or may not ever happen loom above us, before us and within us until all peace is gone. Our minds run haywire with insecurity, fear, apprehension and dread. Over-active minds can get us into overwhelming storms before they ever happen! We desperately need a GUARD for our minds...
And where IS He? Asleep in the boat, not a worry or care. I can't believe it, can you? But wait a minute--He is the Creator of the wind and the waves. Should HE lose sleep over it? He's in control--to stop the storm or protect us IN the storm. No problem! He rests on His own merit, for Heaven's Guard knows, and He is at peace. He wants to be OUR Peace if we will let Him--HE is in the boat! So calm down, disciples; calm down, Peggie--and whomever else God is speaking to this moment. "Peace, be still," commands the Guard of our minds. Resist the enemy who brings dread and fear. Let God's Word secure your mind with promise, protection and peace--from the GUARD Himself! He will do it, IF we will let Him!
"...Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in Thee (Isaiah 26:3 KJV)."
During the Storm...He's there!
Peace to make safe my heart!
Anyone with an over-active mind knows it goes hand in hand with a racing heart! Emotional overload...thoughts flooding and storming our minds! The floods penetrate to the heart, seat of our emotions, and we can become paralyzed with fear--so much fear that we head straight for the Storm Guard! Well, it's about time--that's what He's wanted us to do right along. When the sailing is smooth, sometimes we forget the Source. The storm brings us right back to where we belong--close to Him. And He's there....
Where? In the boat, fast asleep? Never mind, disciples--He is IN CONTROL! They can't believe it and so they awaken Him with pleas for help. "Master, we perish!" We're so much like the faithless disciples sometimes. God is in our boat and we think we're going down! Well, God--the Guard--is not about to fail us. We are SAFE in His keeping, and when we finally realize that wonderful truth, there will be peace, in His presence. All is well for HE is in the boat! Wide awake now--for we've disturbed His rest! NO, never do we disturb His rest. He knows we are human; we are frail, sometimes very frightened souls, and He loves us JUST the way we are. And just the way THEY were. Jesus rubs His eyes and arises, ready to console, comfort and bring peace--not only to the troubled sea, but to the troubled hearts! So calm down, disciples; calm down, Peggie--and whomever else God is speaking to this moment. "Peace, be still," says the Guard of our hearts, and peace happens...when we hear Him--AND obey!
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27 KJV)."
After the Storm...He's there!
Peace to make strong my soul!
A stormy lesson...it's coming, you can be sure, when the storm is over! God does not allow storms to toss and turn our boat without a lesson to be learned. And what's the lesson? "Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith (Matthew 8:26)?" Okay, here comes the lecture--the condemnation and then the guilt. The storm is over--but WHY didn't we trust Him? See, even HE condemns us on top of an already condemning self. NO! The Guard does not condemn or scold you for "no faith." As one of my friends gently reminded ME after a storm, God uses storms to strengthen our faith, so the NEXT time (yep, another storm WILL come sooner or later--count on it!), we will TRUST the Guard, just a little more. We will say, "He brought me through THAT storm, and by Heaven's help, He will do it again!" Storms are to grow UP, not go DOWN...can we remember that NEXT time?
So where's the Guard now? In Heaven, WIDE awake! He never slumbers nor sleeps beside His Father's throne. He's interceding for you--and me--saying, "Lord increase their faith! Develop their trust in Me. Deepen their walk with Me, so they will know my continual peace--BEFORE the storm, DURING the storm, and when it's OVER!"
Lord, let it be! Thou Heavenly Storm Guard of the mind, heart and soul, let it be!
"In the day when I cried, thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul (Psalm 138:3 KJV)."
