The Wind and the Waves

Earlier this week, I had the incredible opportunity to spend a few days at St. Augustine Beach with my Dad and Grandma.  One evening, I was sitting on the sand enjoying the refreshing surf as it lapped against my feet.  Within minutes, the wind started to blow and the rain began to fall.  As the thunder roared and the lightning flashed, I sat there in awe of the undeniable beauty that was set before me, even in the midst of these otherwise inclement conditions.  The infinite array of colors in the sky was barely visible among the graying clouds, but it was still evident that the sun was soon setting.  Even with the impending thunderstorm, the waves continued to roll in, spreading out across the sand in the same orderly fashion as they had minutes, hours, even days before.

But it wasn’t the thunder, the lightning, or the rain that held true beauty.  Instead, it was the beauty of knowing that God himself had created the vast ocean that I had the privilege to behold.  It was His hand that was guiding each and every rain drop, and He was the one controlling the Heavens above, ensuring that each bolt of lightning and each clap of thunder were orchestrated at the precise time and location.  Walking back to the hotel, I had no fear.  I knew that the same God who was watching over each and every detail of the storm was most assuredly watching over me.

Sometimes in life, though, we do not have this same reassurance.  There are things that we encounter that seem too scary to handle.  Fear grips our innermost being and we can barely move, speak, or even breathe at times.  It may be something greater than a thunderstorm passing overhead.  It may be a physical storm, in the form of cancer, Alzheimer’s, or some other illness.  You could also be facing a mental or emotional storm, whether it is a battle with depression, anxiety, or some other crippling condition that has you trapped in a pit of fear, causing you to feel as if there is no way out.  Someone you know may be frightening you with their condescending or threatening language.  Fear can take on many forms, many of which can jeopardize an individual’s ability to live a normal life.  Being afraid can even cause a person to feel that they are knocking at death’s door.

Even Jesus’ disciples were so scared one day that they thought they were going to die.  Although they traveled and ministered with the Lord and Savior, they were not immune to fear.  Matthew 8:24-25 tells the story best:  “Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.  But Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’”  Even with Jesus on their boat, the disciples were still filled with fear.  Instead of realizing that Jesus was sleeping, completely unconcerned by the storm outside, they began to lose faith.

Think about it.  The King of Kings and Lord of Lords was actually on their boat, yet they were still scared. Jesus had performed many miracles.  In Matthew chapter 8, we read that Jesus healed a man with leprosy, a paralyzed servant, and even Peter’s mother-in-law.  Nevertheless, the disciples still doubted His ability to keep them safe in the midst of a raging storm.  They looked at the situation with human eyes, considering the “what ifs.”  I’m sure they thought about the possibility that the boat could capsize.  What if they are knocked overboard and cannot swim to safety?  What if the boat broke into a million pieces?  Instead of thinking of all of the negative possibilities, they should have been praising God, thanking Him for delivering them from the storm, having faith that He would protect them from all harm.

Jesus wasn’t upset with their reaction to the storm.  He only had one question for His disciples.  He asked, “‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’” (Matthew 8:26).  The same question could apply to you and me.  Why are we afraid?  We have Jesus Christ on our boat.  There is no need to fear.  No matter what situation we are going through, we can rest assured that Jesus Christ is with us always.  He will calm every storm in our life.  Just as He rebuked the winds and waves and calmed the storm with His disciples, He will do the same for us (Matthew 8:26).  So the next time you are in a frightening situation, focus your eyes on Jesus Christ.  Find beauty amidst the darkness.  Have faith that Jesus Christ will calm the storm and keep you safe from all harm.  Don’t be afraid.  Be courageous.  Jesus is with you!  (Matthew 14:27)

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

God Is With Us!

This past Sunday morning at approximately 1:30 a.m., the doorbell rang.  Chills ran up and down my spine.  Questions filled my mind.  Who was it?  What did they want?  Why were they here?  I was genuinely scared.  Immediately, I began to pray.  While I didn’t have an answer for the questions racing through my mind, I knew that God had everything under control.  I had the reassurance that God was with us.

My dad went to see who was banging on our door violently and ringing the doorbell repeatedly.  An individual who was under the influence of either drugs or alcohol had flipped their car and landed in a neighbor’s field.  This person had come to our house for help.  We called 911 and soon they were being attended to by the EMTs.  I prayed that they would be alright.  And I also thanked God for standing beside us, protecting my dad and me, and giving us His wisdom and peace even in an uncertain situation.

Sometimes, it is difficult to have faith that God will be with us through every trial in our lives.  I cannot tell you that it was easy to trust God while someone was beating on our door in the middle of the night.  There are times when we will be frightened to the point of trembling.  In these moments, our human nature tries to take over and tells us that everything is not okay.  But if we listen closely enough, we will find that there is a still, small voice saying, “Child, I am with you always.  Everything is going to be alright.”

Other times, it is so easy to trust God completely.  Last weekend, I attended a church ladies retreat.  At the retreat, we laughed and enjoyed a lot of delicious food, including delicious, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and copious amounts of fresh strawberries straight from Plant City, Florida.  Most importantly, we were fed spiritually.  By Sunday morning, we were on cloud nine.  Right before the communion service, we received news that our retired pastor’s cancer was in remission.  At this very moment, God seemed so very near.  Trusting God was so simple.

On Monday morning, I learned that Pastor Jim had gone on to be with the Lord, having stepped through Heaven’s gates peacefully in his sleep.  He was such a kindhearted man of God, who was humble in every way.  He loved his family, his church family, and most important, he loved Jesus Christ with all of his heart.  We prayed for Pastor Jim on Sunday, just as we had been doing for months.  And on Monday, our prayers were answered.  Only it wasn’t the answer that we were praying for.  You see, we don’t always understand God’s answers, but we can always be assured that He knows best.  When we are on top of the mountain, trusting God comes easily for us.  But when we are in the valley, it becomes much more difficult to trust that God has a perfect plan.

I want to encourage you today.  This valley that you are going through will not last forever.  Sometimes you have to go through a storm in order to enjoy a rainbow.  Even in the sunset, there’s sunshine awaiting you.  Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”  Don’t rely on what your human mind can or cannot comprehend.  Rely on God.  God knows exactly what you are going through.  He is right there with you and He will walk every step of the way right by your side.  The Bible says that He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).  Things may not make sense to you right now, but a day is coming when everything will be made clear to you.  God will show you His plan for your life in His timing.  Trust in Him.  Follow His steps.  Take comfort in the fact that God is always with you!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

What Scares You?

Have you ever been genuinely afraid?  Has something ever scared you to the point where you literally could not move?  Perhaps it was something that shook you to your very core, a moment in time that you will never be able to forget no matter how hard you try.  Something so terrifying that it is permanently engraved in your memory.  Fear can grip someone so tightly that it disables their ability to function.  What is it that stops you in your tracks?  What brings fear to your innermost being?  What scares you?

 

Maybe it was a scary moment as a child when a snake slithered nearby or a furry spider jumped on your arm.  Or it might have been sometime today when someone came up behind you and yelled, “Boo!”  Quite possibly, it was the moment you discovered you were terribly afraid of heights or thunderstorms.  Perhaps it could have been the moment you sent your son or daughter off to war, wondering if you would have another opportunity to hold them in an embrace. Or it may have been the moment you sat anxiously in the waiting room, hoping and praying that your mom, dad, child, or other loved one would survive.  Granted, there are countless things that frighten all of us. 

Right now, millions of people are without power along the East Coast of the United States.  Many lives have been lost.  Homes and businesses have been destroyed.  A staggering number of people have been affected by Hurricane Sandy and the super storm in one way or another.  And I know that many of these people are scared.  They may be evacuees who are afraid of what they will find when they are finally able to return home.  Or they may be trapped, unable to leave their place of residence due to the treacherous floodwaters, scared that they may not make it out alive.  I’m sure the emergency workers on the scene are frightened as well, wondering if they will be able to bring everyone to safety.  Needless to say, it is certain that a storm of this magnitude embodies a great deal of fear.  Fear of devastation, fear of dying, fear of the unknown.

In life, we will encounter many scary situations.  Some of the things we encounter will be somewhat insignificant, like our first job interview or the first time we drive through a violent storm.  Others will seem monumental, like the moment we sit next to a loved one who is fighting for their life.  In all of these situations, one thing remains true.  God will always be with us, helping us and comforting us when we are afraid.  Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Jesus Christ knows where you are at this very moment.  He knows if you are positioned somewhere along the East coast, frightened by the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, the super storm, and dangerous blizzard conditions.  He knows if you are in a hospital somewhere, either fighting for your own life or waiting alongside someone else who is fighting for their own.  And He knows if you are afraid that you will not make the right decision concerning a big move or a new job opportunity.  Jesus Christ knows what frightens you.  He knows your innermost thoughts.  Ask Him to calm your fears.  Call on His name.  He loves you more than you could ever imagine.  Don’t focus on what scares you.  Focus on Jesus.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

The Shelter in the Storm

A little over one month ago, my community was ravaged with an unprecedented storm.  Tropical Storm Debby dropped over 20 inches of rain in a matter of hours, causing massive flooding and destruction.  Hundreds of homes and vehicles were destroyed and countless people lost everything they owned.  To complicate matters even more, over 100 sinkholes have opened up in Suwannee County alone.  It is being declared as a “500 year event.”  Gratefully, no lives have been lost in our county, save the many livestock and pets that were swept away in the storm.  Even so, it is a disaster that has rattled everyone to their very core.



I am sure many people are asking themselves, “Why?” and “How?”  Personally, I have been asking some of the same questions.  My long-haired miniature Dachshund, Lucy, along with my two pygmy goats, Charlotte and Savannah, were taken by the flood.  I know many others have lost so much more, but still I wonder, “Why?”  Why did God allow my animals to be swept away?  I also wonder, “How?”  Our backyard became a huge lake, something which we do not have on our property.  The water came within inches of flooding my dad’s workshop and our home as well.  Looking at the photographs, I cannot quite comprehend how the water was approximately five feet high toward the back of our property, yet did not make its way into the house.  If the water had flowed level, I am pretty sure this would have been the case.  Still, several friends of mine were not so fortunate and woke up to several feet of water in their homes.  Over a month later, they are still trying to make sense of it all.

In life, there are many things we may never be able to comprehend.  Sometimes, these events will cause us to question our family and friends, question our beliefs, and even question God.  But it is also in these moments when we can often find a rainbow amid the clouds.  For me, the rainbow amid this particular storm is the realization that God caused the water to do something incomprehensible to my mind, thus preventing it from coming in our home.  Losing my pets was devastating, but it could have been so much worse.  Not only could we have personally lost everything, but human lives could have been lost in our county as well.  In life, there will be storms that ravage our communities, our homes, and our lives.  But God always has our back.  He always has a perfect plan and He will bring us through every storm.

I can’t help but think about Noah and how he must have felt, building that Ark.  Everyone laughed at him and thought he was a lunatic for working on such an enormous vessel.  There had been no rain in sight for a very long time, so the idea of an Ark to save his family from a flood was a little farfetched, to say the least.  Yet, he knew what God had called him to do.  I am sure there were times he doubted God and became discouraged, wondering if he should continue.  Then when it was time to gather two of every animal, I am sure it was a monumental task, leading lions, bears, giraffes, elephants, and other animals onto this boat.  Still, he and his family continued to trust God, with every board and every nail and with each and every animal, two by two.  Because of Noah’s faith in God, he and his family were saved, along with each pair of animals God had created.

What about you?  Are you facing a storm in your own life?  Maybe it is not a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, or earthquake.  Perhaps it is an emotional, physical, or financial storm.  You may be going through a divorce or battling depression.  There may be someone in your family fighting for their life in Intensive Care.  Or someone you know could be suffering from the effects of Alzheimer’s, cancer, or some other disease.  Whatever you are facing, I want to encourage you right this very moment.  Do not be afraid.  Call on the name that is above every other name: Jesus.  He loves you more than you could ever imagine.  No matter what you are going through, Jesus will calm your fears, He will guide your footsteps, and He will be your Friend that sticks closer than any brother.  Jesus will be your Shelter in the storm.

In Christ's Love,
Jennifer

Fear

Have you ever been afraid?  Not just a little scared, but truly in fear for your life?  Perhaps you were in a car accident, or saw your child fall down a flight of stairs?  Maybe you were scared that you would lose your home to a fire or due to lack of funds to pay your mortgage?  Many times, fear can cause us to literally shut down, unable to live our lives as God has intended.  God knows that we will be afraid at times, and He has promised that He will help us through the most terrifying experiences of our lives, so we can enjoy the rewarding, peaceful life that He has planned for us.

Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) says, “I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”  No matter what we may be experiencing at this very moment, God is standing beside us.  Not only that, but He is holding our hand, guiding us through the rough patches of life.  He longs for us to have the peace that only He can give.  He wants us to have the reassurance that He will help us through any situation that life may bring our way, no matter how frightening it may be.  He is the calm before and after the storm.  He is the master of the wind and maker of the rain.  Put your faith in the Lord, and He will calm all of your fears.

If you feel that being afraid is a sign of weakness, I want to assure you that this is certainly not the case.  Consider Jesus’ disciples.  One night while they were out on the lake, they were literally afraid of Jesus himself, thinking that He was a ghost.  In Matthew 14:25-27 (NIV), we read: “Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified.  ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.  But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’”  Even when His disciples did not recognize Him, He wants them to be at ease, unafraid at seeing Him walk across the water.  He wants them to know everything there is to know about Him, beginning with the fact that He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, able to walk on water.  He wanted them to trust Him completely, just like He wants us to do today.

Even the Psalmist David knew that He needed to put His trust in God in order to avoid the fears that encompass us in life.  Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV) says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?”  David is reminding us that we do not need to be afraid, even if trouble comes.  Even if the bill collector calls or a friend stabs us in the back, there is still no reason to be afraid.  When we put our trust in God, nothing can steal our peace.  Nothing can steal our joy.  Nothing can take away God’s hand working in our life.

Mary was afraid when she saw the angel standing before her, delivering the message that she would be the mother of Jesus.  “But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30 NIV).  There are times when we may receive news that is saddening, shocking, or simply unexpected.  Regardless of whether the news is positive or negative, God is in control.  God knows that there are times when we may experience fear in order to make the journey from where we are to where we need to be.  Like Mary, we may be afraid for a season, only to find that we have been called to serve the Lord in a way in which we had never even dreamed.

Time and time again, the Bible tells us that we should not be afraid.  Psalm 118:6 says, “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.”  Hebrews 13:6 says, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”  Even Jesus himself tells us in Revelation 1:17 (NIV) that we should not be afraid, and He says, “I am the First and the Last.”  So, no matter what trials come and what fears may Jesus Christ has paved the way for you to live a fearless life of joy.  He has a dream for your life, void of all fear.  He wants you to experience a fearless life that is greater than anything you ever imagined.

In Christ's Love,

Jennifer

Why, God?

Did you ever experience a terrifying storm?  Do you recall the fear and uncertainty that gripped your mind, as you wondered if your family and friends were safe?  Or perhaps you are enduring an emotional, mental, or physical storm in your life at this very moment.  Does it feel as if they sun will never shine again?  In life, we encounter a plethora of tragedies.  There are natural disasters, illnesses, wars, and many other difficult situations we may find ourselves in.  There may even be times when we find ourselves concerned with a catastrophic event that has not even happened directly to us.  Yet, the tragic occurrence causes us to reflect back on the difficult times we have endured.  Think about the devastating earthquake that struck near the coast of Japan.  When you heard about this natural disaster, did it bring to mind the storms in your own life?  Have you wondered why God did not provide a shelter from the storm for those whose lives were lost?  Or why He has not sheltered you from the storms you are currently going through?

As humans living in an imperfect world, there are moments when we may question, “Why, God?”  There may be times when we do not understand His plan for our life, since our plans may be entirely different.  As I was getting ready for work this morning, I was saddened to hear the news of the massive earthquake that had occurred off the coast of Japan.  Such a tragic event, yet there was no one to blame.  No human being on earth could have precisely predicted this natural disaster.  I am sure the citizens of Japan did not expect this catastrophe.  They planned to enjoy another routine weekday ahead, where everything happened according to their plans.  Then, their plans changed.  Instead of going to work or school, they will spend the day searching for missing persons, digging through rubble to find survivors, and wondering if their loved ones are safe.  And I am sure they will be pondering the question, “Why?”  Why did this happen?  Why couldn’t we prevent the loss of life?  Why didn’t God stop the destruction?

Although I cannot answer these questions, I can assure you that God was right in the midst of that storm.  He was standing right beside the people who were safely evacuated from derailed trains, broken bridges, and crumbled buildings.  Granted, our human minds cannot comprehend why some lives would be spared and others taken.  I cannot explain why every life is not spared.  Even in my own life, I often wonder why my Mom, three grandparents, two infant brothers, and numerous other relatives and friends are not still with me today.  Still, one thing is certain.  God is a sovereign God.  God’s ways are perfect.  The destruction in Japan may seem insurmountable, but God has a perfect plan for the entire world.  He knew this day would come even before we were born.  The storms in your own life may seem equally undefeatable, but rest assured, God has everything under control.

No matter what storm you are currently facing, God is greater than your storm.  Psalm 93:4 (NIV) says, “Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty.”  The one and only true and living God is greater than all of the earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, fires, tornadoes, and any other natural disaster that may come upon His Creation.  Not only that, but God is greater than cancer, divorce, terrorism, and any other social, economic, political, or environmental problem in this world.  For every problem, God is the solution.

In life, there are no guarantees of tomorrow.  There are problems we must face.  There are tragedies to endure.  Nevertheless, we can find shelter in the arms of Jesus.  He has already walked ahead of us, and He continually prepares us for the difficult storms that we may encounter on life’s journey.  He will give us peace in the midst of the storm.  John 16:33 (NIV) says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  Jesus knows what you are going through.  He knows you will face storms in life.  He knows you may even wonder, “Why, God?”  These questions of why may go unanswered.  Even so, you can always find peace in the one true answer: Jesus.

In Christ's Love,

Jennifer