STORMS!

"He maketh
the storm
a calm,
so that
the waves
thereof
are still."
Psalm 107:29

Today, June 1st , marks the beginning of the 2016 hurricane season which will run through November 30th.

Having lived in Central Florida for twenty-seven years, I’ve rode out a few very small hurricanes.  The storms were never EVER anything even close to being like Hurricane Sandy or Hurricane Katrina.  The hurricanes that came through our area had lots of rain and wind, may have blown shingles off the roof, brought down tree limbs and left us in the dark for a few hours, but that was the extent of it, and for that I can say I am so very thankful. 

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts “a near-average 2016 hurricane season with thirteen named storms, including six hurricanes and two of those reaching major strength at Category 3 or greater.  They warned, however, that there remains uncertainty in the accuracy of their findings.”

I appreciate the hard work that the NHC does in keeping us up-to-date of approaching hurricanes and warnings of possible threats of storms.  But I also appreciate their honesty in their last statement which says, ”there remains uncertainty in the accuracy of their findings.”

Man, even with all his high-tech instruments, gadgets and "do-dads", can at his best only make a “highly intelligent prediction” of an approaching storm, because ultimately the Lord is in control of everything.  If He chooses to, He can turn a hurricane completely off course with just one word!  Just like He calmed the storm in which the disciples found themselves.

"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."
Mark 4:39

What about the “hurricanes” in your own life?  You know those storms that pop up out of no where? 

Here in Florida it can be bright, sunny and beautiful, but within a few minutes the black clouds begin rolling in, you hear thunder rumbling in the distance and before you know it, you are caught in a torrential downpour.  One of the most ironic things is that across the street or over on the next block, the sun can still be shining!!

That’s how the storms of life can hit us.  Sunny and bright one minute and raining cats and dogs the next!

All it takes is one phone call to turn your whole world completely upside down.

A pink slip from your employer.

“That look” from your doctor.    

A semi truck that couldn't get stopped at the red light and slid through the intersection and slammed into your car.

Your bank account wiped clean and a spouse who is not coming home because they just can’t handle the stress any more.

A teenager whom you have loved and nurtured in the ways of the Lord, but has chosen an alternative life style.

Having your world spinning upside down, side ways and then tilting the other way and being totally out of control the entire time. 

The last statement is what happened to me.  It happened back in April and it happened again a few weeks ago and it's still happening to this day.  I’ll be totally honest, it’s a terrifying experience. 

Just like the National Hurricane Center tells us to get prepared BEFORE a hurricane strikes with things like stocking up on canned goods, buying flashlights and batteries and making sure your car has enough gas if you need to evacuate.

We also need to be prepared BEFORE the storms of life hit us.

When my world was spinning every which way, I couldn’t even walk to where my Bible was, let alone be able to look up verses. 

I needed to rely on verses I had memorized such as:

I whole-heartily believe in the power of prayer.  Folllowing the initial spinning episode, I managed to text a quick prayer request to my son and to one of my very best friends, and then I sat praying the entire time until Brian got home from work to help me.  Once Brian got home, and after he prayed with me, he got ahold of a lot more prayer warriors to pray along with us.

For a few a days following the episode, I could not read my Bible, so I have a free app on my tablet and on my phone which will read the Bible to me.  This is such a great comfort to be able to hear God's Word when I am unable to read it for myself.

My husband is constantly telling me not to sit in the quiet unless I am reading God’s Word, praying or doing something which requires my complete concentration.  When it’s totally quiet, my mind tends to wander, and too often it tends to wander in the wrong places.  I have my own Pandora stations on my phone and tablet, so all I have to do is hit “play” and I’m encouraged by godly music.

So just like being prepared BEFORE a hurricane hits, we need to be prepared BEFORE the storms of life hit us.

• Memorizing Scripture verses and repeating them aloud over and over!  Sinking them deep within you!

• Being in a "mode" of prayer so that you can pray at a moment's notice.  This means spending time EVERY day talking with the Lord, and not waiting until there is a dire emergency to call upon His name.  Also having some prayer warriors on “speed dial” on your phone.

• Having a free app on your tablet, iPad, or phone which will read God’s Word or sermons to you when you are unable to read for yourself.  This is HUGE!

• Having godly music at your finger tips ready to play in an instant to get your mind off of the circumstances and onto the Lord so you can worship Him.

Did you know that according to the National Hurricane Center that the calmest place of a hurricane is right smack dab in the middle of it?  In the eye of the storm there is barely any winds and the sky is blue.  They gave some long explanation why this happens, but I am not even going to attempt to write it out!!

I know that there are times in my life when I am right in the midst of the storm, and the winds do not seem to be calm, but they are "blowing ninety to nothing", and the skies are certainly not blue, but dark and stormy.  That's exactly when I need to remind myself that the Lord is ALWAYS with me, He LOVES me, I AM HIS CHILD because of my faith in Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and He is ALWAYS in control!

I pray the suggestions I shared will help you get prepared BEFORE the storms of life hit!

As the lyrics
to the song say,
"You alone
are my anchor
when my
sails are torn!"

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May God Bless You,

Barb