Thunder.
Lightning.
Rain.
The thunder woke me up at 5:38 a.m. It sounded close and the windows rattled a little. With eyes wide open, my vision was fixated on the windows.
Bright lights were seen. Lighting. Fast it came. Fast it left.
As the thunder roared on, I managed to fall back asleep.
I wonder how the disciples felt when they were caught in a storm.
Flashback.
June 6th:
As I sit here and cry tears of frustration, God is good. Knowing that I can’t do anything to speed God’s will, I pray for strength to continue this walk of faith. He is worthy of praise and He’s excellent. He’s our awesome God. I feel like it’s been peaks and valleys over here but it sure makes life interesting. — I wrote this to a friend when I was feeling at my lowest.
What do you do in a season of waiting?
I have been praying for purpose in this waiting period. When things don’t go my way or our way guides us to intense prayer.
My husband and I were ready to pack, donate, and give it all away to make our way back to Washington. Growing weary made us miss the “milk and honey” from back home. Oh, how this journey has shaped us, molded us, and it has been refining us.
“God calls us out onto the waters, the great unknown where feet may fail…” — H.R.H
Now imagine this. Getting into a boat with Jesus. Then out of nowhere, a storm comes alive. The tossing of the boat by the waves makes you uneasy. You start to question and panic. To your acknowledgment, you wonder why Jesus is sleeping so soundly. Well, this did happen. The disciples experienced this head-on.
25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” — Matthew 8:25 ESV
How many times do your prayers sound like that?
He hears you through the storm.
He hears through the thunder.
The noise that surrounds you is not too loud for the God of the universe.
Guess what happens next:
26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” — Matthew 8:26-27 ESV
The loud and heavy storms do not define your outcome. God does hear you.
Have you tried praising Him in the storm? God does not slumber nor sleep.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Have you read the Gospel of Matthew in chapter 14 when Jesus walks on water?
Guess what, another boat ride!
Take this video with a grain of salt. I’m not saying this is how it exactly happened but watch it if you’d like:
When your faith is low and when you doubt, do you think you’re going to be left alone to drown?
Err, wrong!
When things don’t go our way, when we doubt, or don’t want to continue in pain, do you think that the Lord will look at you and not help? He is filled with compassion.
Life happens and guess what it can suck. Life isn’t fair … but guess who is?
God.
He is holy, just, merciful, compassionate, a healer, forgiving, and loving God.
When you are mad or angry and want to blame God, you shouldn’t.
You should tell Him what is going on but He is not to blame.
Let out your frustration in prayer.
If you are mad and are in the blaming game (wanting to blame someone), blame the enemy. Because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood.
Place the blame for evil on Satan.
🌿🌿🌿
Look what I came across at 8:54 in the morning of June 6th:
Two quotes that I have came across that put things into perspective for me:
“Jesus is always there for us, even when we lose sight of Him. With Him, you are capable of more than you could ever imagine. He loves you so much.” — Ally Yost
“Living by faith is not easy, but it is essential. It is the only weapon for adversity that cannot fail.” — Dorothy Kelley Patterson
Psalms that have helped me:
Psalm 43
Psalm 69
Psalm 103
as well as Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV:
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I hope this encourages you to keep going. To keep persevering.
You matter, friend, and I hope you know that.
Keep walking with Him. Stay on the narrow path.
Songs to put on and listen to when you don’t know what to say, think, or pray:
Never Walk Alone — Hillsong
Anchor - Skillet
Watch and See — The Erwins
Changing Me — Anna Golden
Praise You In This Storm — Casting Crowns
You Are God and I Am Not — Dennis Jernigan