Praise in the Storm

Storms. They can be an impressive feat of nature. Flashing lightning bolts that create patterns across the sky, powerful winds that bend even the strongest of trees, and heavy rains that turn streams into mighty rivers. But for everything that is cool about storms, they can and have been equally devastating.

Life is similar in that things happen suddenly that no one was expecting. It could be a death, an illness, struggles with finances, or divorce to name a few. All of which can be devastating in their own ways. They shake us to the core as the sense of security we once knew is suddenly gone. Or is it?

As a believer in Jesus Christ, I do not have to be afraid of the storms. I know God is with me and is in control even when it seems as though nothing makes sense. But knowing and living what I believe are two different things. I may know that God is in control, but I still worry and stress about everything, thus I am not living what I believe. And even still, in the cases of illness or death, can I find the strength to praise God through the hurt?

Today I was reminded of a very dear friend and mentor who passed away a couple of years ago. She battled many storms, one in the way of cancer. What I remember of her was not someone stressed or anxious about her life expectancy, but someone who was at peace. She knew Jesus as LORD and Savior and she believed in the promise that she would live with Him in Heaven. And she praised Him during the storms. She would sing the chorus to a song by Casting Crowns called Praise you in the Storm, "And I will praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands. God, you are who you are, no matter where I am! And every tear I cry, you hold in your hands, you've never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm."

Her faith is an inspiration to me today and though she had many reasons to do the opposite, she choose to sing to Jesus during the storm. I know it was not always easy for her which was evident by the letters we exchanged. But life is never going to be easy.

There will always be storms that appear out of nowhere and it will always be hard to understand why they happen. The lyrics to that song say it best, God is still God and He has NEVER left our side, not even in the most devastating of storms. It is in these moments that I want to learn to cling to the security that is in Jesus Christ and trust in His promises of love, strength, and peace to take me the rest of the way.

And like my friend and mentor, I want to learn how to praise Him in the storms because I live in His promises and His Truth. She is home with Jesus, eternally singing His praises. One day, I'll be there too because God is faithful and through His sacrifice of His son Jesus, we are allowed eternal life with Him. If you so choose to believe.

Written Nov. 20, 2022