Guided thoughts, II

Every hurricane season, the southeastern area of our country braces for storms. We know they are coming.
We're not sure when.....the season is actually months long.
We're not sure how many there will be.....sometimes there are not too many. Some years they come fast, with little time between the storms.
We're not sure exactly where they will hit....with hundreds of miles of vulnerable coastline, it could happen anywhere.
We're not certain how strong they will be....some are just tropical storms, and others are full-blown, hard-core mega-storms.

The weather stations and forecasters try to determine the path of the storms. People stock up on batteries, water, and other things to make sure they are prepared.

When the storm hits, the winds and the rain lash at the land, homes, and other buildings with winds that can topple trees, damage structures, flood inland areas, and wreak havoc. The winds can get up to over one hundred miles per hour at times . . . then the calm arrives. It's the eye of the storm. We can catch our breath then, in the stillness, and assess the first round of damage. But don't take too long before seeking shelter again....the other side of the storm will hit soon.

But through it all -- the first, fierce bands of wind and rain, the calm eye of the storm, or the final, ferocious effects as the hurricane moves past us -- we know Who is in control.

The Spirit reminded me of this last week. Isn't this similar to life here on earth for believers? We're not sure when crises will hit. We never know how many there will be. We're not sure exactly what the crises will be about, whether ourselves, our families, our friends, or our countries. And we aren't certain how "big" our troubles will be.
But we know they are coming, right?

“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.” (John 16:33)

Paul tells us the same thing in II Timothy -- "there will be times of difficulty."
We should remember that like the people expecting a hurricane, we can prepare for the storms of life.

          So you also must be ready... (Matthew 24:44a)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:12-13)

And through it all, we are held in His hands. Whether the storm is raging around us, or we're in that brief calm in the eye of the hurricane, it is He Who is in control. (Excuse, me, that just makes me want to pause and say, "Hallelujah!")

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. (Isaiah 41:10)

I'm so glad that my life, my good times, my crises, everything -- all of that is in His hands!

How about you?