We in Florida, as well as other states on the East coast, are breathing relief: We’re at the end of hurricane season.
No more spending hours monitoring the Weather Channel. No more dashing to get the last bottled water at the local store. And no more comments like this one:
“I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of these broadcasters. One minute we hear Dorian has lessened in its force. Next, we hear it’s heading our direction and we need to prepare. And then they tell us it’s coming but with less force. I’m fed up with the stress these people cause. Can’t they get anything straight?”
Forgive the cynicism, but her problem isn’t the hurricane. Her stress isn’t the uncertainty of the storm. It’s not even the danger that lurks. Her real problem is that she believed, trusted and counted on every word the weather forecasters said. And what they said dictated her frame of mind, attitude and determined her emotions.
Who can blame her? When facing danger, we all do the same—allow others to define our emotions. Sadly, hurricanes of life don’t have seasons. They come anytime. Some arrive with force. And others lurk around, stirring our anxiety.
You may be in an emotional hurricane right now. The winds of pain just increased and they are about to destroy your shelter of security.
But safety comes when we choose to trust in the one who forecasts our future. God is the only one who can hide us in the shadow of His wings (Ps. 91).
Here’s a quiz to determine the level of your trust:
1. Jesus promises the rest we need in Matthew 11:28-29.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Do we believe that rest is ours and do we relax in that promise?
2. When the storms drain our strength, in Isaiah 40:29-31, God promises:
“He gives power to the faint, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” Do we believe in that strength and, rather than walk like defeated chickens, do we soar like eagles?
3. When we lack what we need, do we believe what God promises in Paul’s words in Philippians 4:19?
“But my God shall supply your every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Rather than lament what we don’t have, do we believe we already possess His riches?
4. When fear attacks, God announces in Romans 8:37-39:
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities nor powers, neither things present nor things to come, neither height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Are we counting on the world’s kind of security or relying in the safety of God’s love?
5. When life’s troubles become too much, God reassures in John 14:27:
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Do we walk through life troubled, or do we boldly speak His peace into our situation?
6. Finally, God promises in Proverbs 1:33:
“But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure from fear of evil.” Do we doubt in His protection because we cannot see? Or believe In His promise of His powerful protection?
Storms might rattle our security, hurricanes may blow winds of destruction and earthquakes may shake our foundation, but if we believe in God’s announcement on the channel of His faithfulness, fear melts in the truth of each of His promises.
Let’s pray.
Father, often I have said You’re my Lord, believed in You and trusted in Your Word, yet subtle fear rose in me. I thank You for Your patience with me as I learn to embrace and declare that I truly, truly believe and trust in Your promises. In Jesus’ name.
Are you focusing on the dark side of your situation or counting on the power of God’s promises? {eoa}
This article originally appeared at janetperezeckles.com.
