Last night I was woken by what I thought was someone shaking me. As I opened my eyes I could see the light fixtures swinging back and forth and feel the house swaying. At first I couldn’t tell if it was a dream or if i was actually awake. I laid on my sleeping pad for a minute disoriented and confused. Finally I heard someone say “earthquake” and saw our host come quickly down the stairs. His reaction to the earthquake surprised me. He was so calm and still had a smile on his face as he anxiously turned on the news to see what was happening. It was so evident that he fully trusted God with whatever may happen which was so comforting. After the shaking stopped I went back to sleep and felt a lot of peace which surprised me. Instead of being fearful of what may happen, I felt comforted by the Lord in knowing He was in control. That no matter what would happen, He would be there to comfort me and bring me peace. Over the next 24 hours they predict possible tsunami waves as well as more after shocks, but I know that God will be with us through it all. Psalm 91 tells us that God is our protector.
“[He is] my refuge, my fortress…in whom I trust” (91.2)
“You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day” (91:5)
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (91:11)
But sometimes It’s a lot easier for me to trust God with my own life. I’ve always had a fear of losing people I love or something bad happening to them. So as I read the news about hurricane Irma heading toward Florida I instantly felt fear building inside me. My brother and dad live on the East Coast and if you know them at all there would be a good chance they wouldn’t evacuate no matter how bad the storm looks. (Sometimes I get a feeling that they think they’re indestructible). Thankfully my dad was on a business trip to Huntsville and my brother is on his way to New York. Although a lot of the fear was lifted knowing they aren’t in Florida, I still find myself worrying about the damage and harm Irma will do. I read about the lives already lost and the damage that has been done and I feel so helpless.
But then I remember that even in the storm, God is in control. Natural disasters are both devastating and scary. You don’t have any control over what will happen and can never be fully prepared for the outcome. In the same way, when I’m going through a storm in my own life, I often times feel hopeless because I cant control everything. Instead of looking to God for guidance, I try to get through the storm by myself. But I’ve come to realize it’s so much easier to give all of your control over to God. Trust that he will protect you, fight for you, and love you through any storm that comes your way.
Isaiah 43:2 says:
“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.”
So the next time you are going through a big storm or feel like everything is spiraling out of your control, take a deep breath and give it to God. Find rest in knowing He is for you and He will never leave you. My girl Lauren Daigle’s song “I Am Yours” puts my thoughts into words perfectly.
“Let the waters rise
I will stand as the oceans roar.
Let the earth shake beneath me let the mountains fall.
You are God over the Storm,
And I am yours.”
Joyfully His,
Elizabeth
