We are living in unprecedented times. Depression, anxiety, and fear are now running rampant. Navigating through the maze of life in “normal” times was difficult, but dealing with the uncertainty of this season, has become quite the challenge. How you navigate your current season is critical to how you enter your next season. It has been said that a smooth sea never made a skillful sailor, but when given a choice most will choose a smooth sea, anytime. Unfortunately, life happens, and like them, or not, we all have to deal with storms. With so many differing opinions, who can you believe? Who can you trust? How can you find peace in your storm?
I am not an expert, and do not claim to have all the answers, but I would like to share three simple things, that have often helped me, and hopefully, will help you during this storm.
- Say It
You have, perhaps, heard the phrase, “If you see something, say something.” I have found, as a believer, that sometimes you have to say something before you see something. Faith is the substance of things we hope for, but the evidence is not yet seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
The promises of God are to those who say something.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Psalm 91:2
Let the redeemed of the Lord, say so. Psalm 107:2
Sometimes you have to speak to your storm, or to your mountain.
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Mark 11:23
Jesus spoke to the storm. Speak up. Say to your storm, “Peace! Be still!”
- See It
Sometimes the hardest things to see are those that are right in front of you. Have you ever worked those “brain teaser” puzzles where you try to find the missing words? What about those where you try to find the hidden objects? I do enjoy working those, but invariably, I usually find all, but maybe one or two. And more times than not, I find myself missing just that one word, or object. Then it becomes a stare-down. Looking right at it, but I can’t see the answer. Staring at it for a half hour, knowing that the answer is there, but becoming frustrated that I just can’t see it. I hand the puzzle to someone else, tell them the last remaining thing I’m looking for, and in a matter of seconds they point it out to me.
There is an interesting story in the Old Testament found in 2 Kings, chapter 6. An army had surrounded the prophet Elisha and his servant preparing to take them captive. The servant had gone out early one morning and saw that they were completely surrounded and came in to report to Elisha and asked, “What do we do now?” Elisha’s response to him was, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Then Elisha prayed an interesting prayer, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.”
Clearly the servant was not blind, for he had just looked and saw that they were surrounded by the enemy, and yet, Elisha prayed that God would open his eyes.
Then it happened. The Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Too often, we stare at our storm and fail to see that God is in the storm. Focused on the problem, we fail to see the peace.
- Seize It
We may know the promises of God, but during a storm, we have to apply them. The promises are only effective when applied.
Do not let mercy and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3
God’s Word is a powerful weapon. It has been called a sword, but to use it, you must know it. When the storm is raging, and all hope seems lost, seize the Word. The Word works, but you have to work the Word.
Peace can be fleeting, but peace can be found in your storm. The only real peace can be found in God. I know I’m dating myself, and few will even remember this song from several years ago, but it still rings true.
The only real peace that I have, dear Lord, is in You.
The only real peace that I have, dear Lord, is in You.
With all life’s temptations, I need You, and I know I do.
‘Cause the only real peace that I have, dear Lord, is in You.
If you’re feeling nervous, anxious, depressed, uncertain, then take hope, for there is peace in your storm. God has not abandoned you. If God is all you have, you have all you need. You may have stared long and hard at this storm, and you may feel surrounded by darkness, let me encourage you to believe again — see it, say it, seize it.
Still Believing!
Yes amen very well said and very good advice