Today I sit in the comfort of my sister’s home in McAllen, Texas, while part of my family drives across the storm-ridden Midwest. For me, it’s been a fun week. Shopped ’til we dropped. Ate ’til we can’t button our jeans. Laughed ’til we cried. I’ve loved being here with the one who thinks I’m the best thing since sliced bread!
But there’s something weighing heavily on me amidst all this fun. The predicted storms that loom ahead of my family’s path. While they pulled two vehicles and a trailer out of Houston this morning, I was here praying. As I watched the news last night, I looked UP. As I listened to the pessimism, I called on the Name of the Lord. And my sister and her husband agreed with me. Prayer and praise is a powerful weapon against fearful storms. We recalled how Jesus had stilled the storm. Even the winds and waves obey Him! Peace began to settle in my spirit. I slept like a baby. And God topped it all off this morning when I opened up an online devotional.
He makes the storm calm, so that the waves are still.
Then are they glad because they be quiet;
so he brings them to their desired haven.
(Psalm 107:28-30).
It shocked me that the Lord would speak so specifically to my concern. We had prayed and we had praised. God was the Only One who could calm the storm and take my family safely to their desired haven. This verse spoke almost verbatim to my concerns. Taking a deep breath, I was set free from worry UNTIL…
…we turned on the weather station. Well, I needed to check the current conditions, didn’t I? Every meteorologist on the air was predicting the severity of the storm once again, showing the red and yellow dots on the screen, outlining the worst areas in red boxes, and scaring the living daylights out of me. Here I was in the midst of believing God for a miracle, yet allowing a black box to speak doubt and fear into my heart. My peace was dissipating. I felt troubled.
So I did the next best thing. I turned off the doomsday announcers. I would not listen. It was my modern-day response to taking my thoughts captive. Hadn’t the Lord spoken to me through His Word? Hadn’t our family prayed for protection? Hadn’t we praised the same Lord who calmed the sea for the disciples? There are times I just need to be intentional when the “storms” of life come my way. Who am I feeding? Who am I agreeing with? Who am I going to believe?
Today I made a choice to believe God’s Word. To stand on what I know is true. It’s up to me to stop the voice of man when it tries to overpower the voice of God. These reports will not choke out the Word of God in me, no matter how knowledgeable or necessary these professionals may be. God rules over the wind and the storms. Not man. He calms. He protects. He provides.
So I think I’m going to go take a nap.
Karen I LOVE reading your blog! I dont always comment but I wanted to leave one today just to let you know Im thinking of you and everyone at CCC. Ill see you guys on March 25th!!!!
Karen, I just LOVE the last line in this. :)
Hi Karen … My daughter shared your last post with me. I love what you are doing. In fact, I just noticed she left the above comment. I have been going through your first few posts from 2008. That’s about the same time that I began my Christian blog also … June, 2008. I call it “God’s Answer is always Jesus.” I plan on keeping a close eye on what you write … I don’t want to miss what the Lord says through you. May our Lord Jesus continue to bless your work for Him. Feel free to stop by my little blog and see what you think of it. The URL is … http://faithsunansweredquestions.blogspot.com/
Blessings my sister in Jesus.
Well, you just made my day, Carl! So Tara is your daughter? I absolutely love your girl! She has blessed my life in so many ways. Thank yo for your kind, encouraging words, and your blessing. I will check out your blog. May the Lord anoint your words to reach others for His Kingdom. God bless you!