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How do you find peace amidst the storms of life?
Storms come in different ways. Some are powerful and almost blow you away. Others may be like a sudden thunderstorm that hits and passes quickly. Sometimes you are prepared for the storm, and other times you get caught by surprise. Storms can leave damage that takes months to clean up. Other times it may take only days and, occasionally, we are blessed to escape with no harm done. No life is without storms. No life should be without Jesus. Bettye Rosser, Pasadena, TX After obtaining a divorce after 27 years of an abusive marriage, I struggled with guilt and regret. Even after being reassured by my pastor that there was no other choice for myself and my children, I still felt I was being thrown from one brick wall to another-working to feed, clothe, and be there for my children. Where was this God of comfort and forgiveness? It has been 22 years since those difficult days. Peace that can only come from the Lord-through the support of my pastor, church friends and finally "letting go to Him" by daily prayer and Bible study-has found its ways into my heart and soul. Each year has brought more growth and strength in my Lord and Savior. All praise and glory be to Him! Anonymous To find peace during stormy times of life, I take counsel:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Is. 43:2ff).
Journaling is an important part of my spiritual journey. I choose a portion of God's Word, contemplate what it means to me and write as if I'm talking to my Heavenly Father. I can feel Him enfolding me in His arms. This is especially true during the storms of my life. When we lost our 41-year old son unexpectedly, I received comfort in writing on Psalm 18. In my distress, I called to the Lord for help and He heard me (Ps. 18:6). Jean Wottrich, Pasadena, Tx. When we married we were young and people said, "It will never last." Thirty-eight years later, we are still holding on to those vows spoken before God. There were times when God wasn't first as He should be. But He didn't let us fall from His hand. Later when our daughter was in her teens and early 20s it was very difficult. Only through prayer, God's love for all of us and our love for each other, could we ride out those stormy days. One other thing calmed me and that was the words to the old hymns, many of which are directly from Scripture. An automobile accident almost took my husband Dave in 1992. As he was crawling out of the mangled sports car, he heard a voice say, "It is well with your soul." At the hospital he shared that with me, and I know it was so. With friends praying, the Word of God and the words to old hymns we have found calm and peace in every storm. Sandie Harjala, Knoxville, TN The bed was soft and restful. As a harried mother of two baby girls and the wife of a Marine serving overseas, just having quiet time was appreciated. The doctor had instructed me to lie quietly and not move. Three days before, "Mom" Cox, worried at the severity of my continued headache, made me go to the doctor. Now the hospital doctor came in three times a day to have me move each limb, one at a time, ending with "Well girl, what are you doing in the hospital?" The third afternoon he knew. Infantile paralysis. I was completely paralyzed and having problems breathing. My prayers changed from, "Thank You, Lord, for this rest" to "Lord, please keep me out of the iron lung." My years of singing in the choir paid off; my diaphram took over my breathing and still does to this day, 50 years later. My Lord was with me through every obstacle. Unable to hold my Bible, I prayed and mentally reviewed its stories and the verses I'd memorized. He gave me strength and the faith that I would not, despite the doctors' insistence, be bed-ridden the rest of my life. After six months I rejoined my two baby daughters, and a year later had a third daughter and became a single mom. My loving Lord never left my side. Better yet, He carried me through it all.
It doesn't seem to matter whether the storms of life roll in suddenly, catching me by surprise or whether I've watched them brewing off in the distance, they send me running for cover. Proverbs 18:10 says: The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. I have this mental image of making a beeline to the shelter of the Lord, much like a child to his parent, and I often do it by phoning a Christian sister to pray with me. This time of shared petition always brings me encouragement and peace. Nancy Kohrs, Lake City, MN We find peace through reading God's Word daily, memorizing specific verses and remaining in constant prayer. A year and a half ago, after a 16-year marriage, our daughter went through a devastating divorce. We were Christians, but lukewarm (Rev. 3:16). The Holy Spirit used this to lead me to rededicate my life in worshipping Jesus as Lord and to bring my husband into a deeper fellowship with Jesus Christ. We joined St. Peter the Fisherman Lutheran Church, participate in a Bible study, attend church regularly and are standing firm in Christ. We rejoice and thank Him for His promise that this trial will be solved in a divine manner. In the meanwhile, we have His peace in our hearts instead of fear. June (and Ken) Campbell, Lincoln City, OR With five grown children, their spouses and 10 grandchildren, storms seem to come up quite often. Every morning, before I get up, I give all my family members to God by name, along with any problems. I have no expectations of how any "storm" is going to be calmed, but leave it completely up to Him. Then, even though the situation may come to mind during the day, I don't worry and I can have peace in my heart. Lois Gumbert, Fort Wayne, IN My 10-year-old daughter collapsed in my arms Friday morning, and the remainder of that day was spent trying to figure out why. Her very short episode turned out to be a fainting spell, and she was also diagnosed with asthma. Added to this was a nagging worry of not hearing from our grown daughter, who lives out-of-town and was experiencing medical problems of her own. It was a troublesome day that spilled over, emotionally and tearfully, into Saturday. Tears were still leaking from my eyes as we sang the hymns on Sunday morning. Sniffing, wiping my eyes and trying to pretend I hadn't been crying, I heard my pastor begin his sermon with Jesus' Words from the day's Gospel lesson. "Stop crying," he said. I almost had to laugh out loud, and I learned anew that real peace, the peace that passes all understanding, isn't something I can find. It's something God gives us in the divine service. He comes; He forgives; He speaks; He washes; He feeds us with His own Body and Blood. Taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8). Debbie Swanson, Indianola, NE Amidst the storms of my life I find peace in my Savior. He paid the price for peace in all things and in storms He can calm me. As His baptized child, I know He goes with me through the storms. He knows all my needs, loves me and works all things for good for me. He draws me closer in storms, strengthens me, uplifts me in His Word, in worship, in prayer, in reassurance of forgiveness, in Communion. He gives me peace for all time by grace though faith in Him, my Treasure. Lorna Bills, Akron, MI
As life's trials seethe about me, I rest secure in my Savior's assurance that I am safe through Baptism. The strengthening Word and forgiving nourishment of Christ's body and blood perfect the peace, despite the distractions of the devil's roar and sin's blinding strikes. From my Savior's arms, I realize the sinful world's hardships are far outweighed by the new life granted through His continual forgiveness. Heather Judd, Casper, WY A simple task, mopping the floor, and in an instant I lay on the floor in intense pain knowing I had broken something. I called to my husband to phone 911 and silently prayed for God's sustaining help. As paramedics tenderly carried me to the ambulance and nurses at the hospital cared for me, I turned to my husband and asked him to call our church's prayer chain. The storm of the accident and the trauma of it were still present, but I could feel the calming effects of knowing others were praying for me. Seven months later, having gone through many stages of recovery, I am thankful to God for His many blessings in this storm and for the people whose prayers have carried me through it. Margaret Christopher, Pittsburgh, PA |
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The
Bible and prayer are the answer. The Word of God brings peace
as I listen to God speak and tell Him all that is in my heart.
God knows my words before I speak them (Ps. 139:4). I hold nothing
back. It gives a deep feeling of peace to know the Lord understands
everything about the storm, and He is with me.
Janet Stuckey, Lombard, IL
Ruth Mitchell, Covina, CA
As the tempest rants outside, I
curl up, comfortable in the assurance that I am safe from its
rages. A good book and warm cup of tea complete the comfort,
despite the distractions of thunder's growl and lightning's blazes.
From my safe haven, I realize the storm's temporary terrorization
is far outweighed by the rain's refreshing of the earth.