Walking Through Storms

From my childhood, I have always loved watching storms out the window of a dry and safe home, mesmerized by the boom of thunder and by lightning flashing across a dark sky. But there is no way I would want to be out in a boat in the middle of a storm! In fact, while one of my favorite past times is fishing on a sunny day, lulled by the waves rocking my boat, I am ready to head for shore when storm clouds roll in!

All of my life, I have also been an avoider of anything unpleasant, if I have the choice. For instance, my husband and I have avoided conflict as much as possible in the 43 years of our marriage, hoping that problems would just eventually go away. (Needless to say, that has not been a very successful strategy!)

There were some seasoned fishermen among the disciples in the boat with Jesus! But all of them were terrified by this storm. They were also equally amazed by his control of the wind and waves. In our lives I believe that God wants us to get used to and even to welcome the “lightning, thunder and rain” as well as a rocking boat in order to also understand his power over them!  

There is a song that my parents used to play on one of their LP records when I was a child that still goes through my head, even as an adult:

When you walk through a storm hold your head up high and don’t be afraid of the dark.

At the end of a storm there’s a golden sky and the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain though your dreams be tossed and blown.

Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart and you’ll never walk alone!   As we all walk through the storms of life, there is someone walking beside us who controls the “wind and the waves” and who gives us a reason for hope!

Father God, I know that you have promised to walk with me through the storms of life. Help me not to be so afraid of what I cannot control, but to rest in the knowledge that I am not alone! Amen.

Throughout This Day: Let Jesus be the one who brings you peace even in the midst of a storm. Trust him even though you are afraid, and watch him bring calmness as only he can!