Recently I was online watching a few videos about various subjects; everything from beekeeping to funny dog videos. I was not looking for anything specific when a music video by Casting Crowns came up. I instantly went from being entertained to inner reflection about the subject of the song. It is amazing how the mind works and how it will focus on certain things. I remembered what happened to me in 2011.
I was diagnosed with melanoma (skin cancer) and had to have it surgically removed. What came to mind was how my life changed in an instant. I was perfectly fine, no problems and then WAM! There it was; "The Storm." I can vividly remember the surgeon's call. He said, "Mr. Harman (not the most personal approach), we know you have melanoma and I am sorry to tell you it has spread into your lymph nodes". It was like an out of body experience.
I remember him explaining what that meant as his voice trailed off into a low hum right after the word "spread". My mind went to a worse case scenario and all I thought was "not me, NOT ME! This can't be real". Like an elastic band, his voice snapped back into focus as he made his last comment. "Make the most of the life you have left, however long that is." The day went from bright, cheerful, and sunny to dark and depressing.
As I think back on that day, I recall reading what happened to the disciples when they were in the boat with Jesus. You can find the account of it in Matthew 8:23-27. Jesus was in the boat sleeping when a great tempest came up terrifing the disciples. In an instant, they went from sailing in a boat with Jesus to certain drowning. Tempest is a violent wind accompanied by rain and hail. The disciples ran to Jesus who was sleeping; no fear, no worries, and in complete control. He woke up and chastised his men about their lack of faith.
Then, Jesus did what only Jesus could do. He spoke with complete authority over nature! He spoke and the tempest stopped. The wind, the rain, and the waves ceased and all was calm. I remember how after only a few minutes, the tempest of my storm calmed. God calmed my fears and relieved my anxious speculations. What storm have you had or what storm are you currently experiencing?
I look back to "storms" in the bible. The heartbreaking experience of Job comes to mind. Satan, with the permission of God, took all Job had; his wealth, his livestock, his health, and his family. In a worldly mindset, Job had every right to hate and turn away from God. But, that isn't what happened. Job went through a period of self-pity. In Job 10:1:
"I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul."
Did Job think to himself, not me, NOT ME. This can't be real? God snapped Job into reality with a series of questions about His sovereignty. He demanded an answer from Job in chapter 40 and verse 6:
"Get ready to answer Me like a man; When I question you, you will inform Me."
In reply, Job acknowledged God's supreme power and control.
"I know that You can do anything and no plan of Yours can be thwarted." Gen 38:1-41:34
Jobs situation was definitely worse than mine, yet both fall under the providence of God.
In Genesis 22, God required Isaac's sacrifice and his father Abraham was to do it. God called to Abraham who answered, "here I am" (verse 1).
"Take your son, your only son Isaac who you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on the mountain I will tell you about." (verse 2)
Enter, Abraham's storm. In chapter 11 of Hebrews Abraham was listed as a faithful man. I cannot help but think there was a certain amount of fear and worry in his mind. Did Abraham think to himself, "not me, NOT ME, NOT MY SON?" Yet, he got up early readying himself to complete God's command (Gen 22:3). As the knife was being brought down to end the life of his long awaited son, the Angel of the Lord said,
"Do not lay a hand on the boy..." Gen 22:12
At which point, Abraham looked up to find a ram caught in the bushes which was God's provision of a sacrifice in Isaac's place.
Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph being sold into slavery. Everything was going well. He was out in the country looking for his brothers. Joseph finds himself thrown into a deep pit and sold into slavery by those same brothers. Enter, Joseph's storm. What do you think Joseph's thoughts were at the bottom of the pit?
It was a terrible situation. He was taken by slave traders, falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, and put into prison (chapter 39). I guess to make myself feel better, I like to think at some point, Joseph said, "not me, NOT ME. This can't be real". Regardless, as horrible as his storm was, it ended with him declaring to his brother:
"As for you, you meant evil againt me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Gen 50:20
Obviously, the bible is replete with examples of individuals going through storms of their own and how they handled it. I compare storms of life and nature when I watch videos of hurricanes, tornados, and all types of weather catastrophes. You watch the wind blowing at incredible speeds, tearing to shreds everything in its path. The water rips through land and buildings destroying whatever gets in its way. Tornados tear everything to pieces in a matter of seconds. Images of storms of nature cannot be erased from ones mind; at least not mine.
Then there are the storms of life; poverty, divorce, betrayal, disease, and death. All of these and more are tempestuest storms . The wind of life's storms make it impossible to breathe. The weight bears down on us so hard it seems impossible to drag ourselves out of bed or to perform simple tasks. The loss causes continual weariness. Our minds cannot erase these things.
So, what do we do? How do we weather the storms? I have the answer. It is given in Job's response to God
"Nothing can thwart your plans."
It is also found in Joseph's response to his brothers.
"What you intended for evil...God intended for good."
And it is found in the comforting and reassuring words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The life of a young girl, who lost her battle with cancer, inspired Casting Crowns to write Praise You in the Storm.
I was sure by now God, You would have reached down And wiped our tears away Stepped in and saved the day But once again, I say, "Amen" and it's still raining
Well, as the thunder rolls I barely hear Your whisper through the rain "I'm with you" And as Your mercy falls I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away
And I'll praise You in this storm And I will lift my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to You And raised me up again But my strength is almost gone How can I carry on If I can't find You?
But as the thunder rolls I barely hear Your whisper through the rain "I'm with you" And as Your mercy falls I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away
Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord The maker of Heaven and Earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord The maker of Heaven and Earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills Where does my help come from?
And I'll praise You in this storm And I will lift my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am Every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn (though my heart is torn) I'll praise You in this storm (praise You in this storm)
written by Bernie Herms and John Mark Hill
My answer is, "I will praise You in the good or bad, the easy or hard, and the long or short time of my life." I will praise You in the storm!
Psalm 139 tells us God knows us, surrounds us, and made us. In verses 13-16, we find God created our inward parts, knit them together in our mother's womb, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God's eyes saw us when we were formless. It goes on to tell us all of our days were written in His book and planned before a single one of them began.
Finally,I am always encouraged by the words of George MacDonald as it puts into perspective whether or not the storm is more important than living out all of life in honor of God.
I said, "Let me walk in the field."
God said, "No walk in the town."
I said, "There are no flowers there."
He said, "No flowers, but a crown."
I said, "But the sky is black, there is nothing but noise and din."
But He wept as He sent me back,"There is more," He said, "There is sin."
I said, "But the air is thick, and the fog is veiling the sun."
He answered, "Yet souls are sick and souls in the dark undone."
I said, "I shall miss the light and my friends will miss me they say."
He answered me, "Choose tonight, if I am to miss you, or they."
I pleaded for time to be given;
He said: "Is it hard to decide? It won't seem that hard in heaven, to follow the steps of your Guide."
I cast one look at the field,
Then set my face to the town;
He said, "My child, do you yield? Will you leave the flowers for the crown?"
Then into His hand went mine and into my heart came He; and I walk in a light Divine, the path (focusing on living life for God's glory and not focusing on my storm) I had feared to see.
Wear Jesus Well,
Blessings,
Steve
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