Have you ever felt like you couldn’t get a break? Storm after storm crashing. A shaking to your core. Storms on all sides, physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally. Night after night strong wind and booming thunder. Can’t think clearly. Can’t hear anything other than storm noise.
I have felt this place recently. I have struggled to keep pressing forward despite the hollowing storm. I have wanted to quit, to fall down and not get up again. I have struggled to see the sun shining behind the grey storm clouds. Tired, weak, overwhelmed. Feelings that swirl in these days of storm.
This spring my daughter has become more aware of storms and in particular thunder. When thunder booms she is quickly at my side seeking comfort. All she knows is that she heard a loud scary noise. She doesn’t know why and she certainly doesn’t understand the science behind it. The noise is threatening her safe environment and she doesn’t like it.
Most times when a storm comes and her little body clings to my side I tell her, “It’s okay. It is just thunder. It will pass soon.” I have said that phrase enough now that when she hears thunder she proclaims, “It’s okay!”
I am amazed at how much she absorbs at just 20 months old. Her toddler mind can be put at ease with those simple words, “It’s okay.”
My mind is older, however, I struggle to find that same ease in life’s storms. I know the truth. I know God is in control. I know God is my comfort and provider yet the crashing storms shake me. Rattle the truth I know. Pull me into panic mode instead of trusting. I can’t say, “It’s okay” in the middle of it all. I can’t look up and hear Him whisper comfort to me.
Today as my heart forecast is stormy and one look outside tells me it’s another rainy, cloudy day I am seeking to find relief. To find God’s comfort in the storms. Like my sweet little girl I want to trust, to live in the truth that “it’s okay” because it will pass and God is near.
I pray you too can find peace amidst your storms. That our great God will be your hope to keep walking, to look up and whisper “it’s okay.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. NLT
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ESV
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. ESV
Psalm 139:5-6 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! NLT
How often have I said the words, “it’s okay” or “you’ll be okay”. I liked what you said about the meaning behind it: this too will pass and God is near. Just as our children felt safe with us , we can feel safe with our Heavenly Father in control.