Peace within the Storm

CS and I have been through a storm this last week. It has been rough, I won't lie. The rumbling clouds and lightning have come down from all around, it seems. The tears, the questions, the confusion have been there, too. But, you know what? In the midst of it all, we are so blessed to have Someone who cares enough to reach out His hands towards us.

You know, we don't look forward to trials. We don't say, "Alright, Lord, we are ready for another one - hit us good this time!" But, I refuse to allow myself to believe that He is the one who causes pain. Remember the Garden of Eden? Who made the choice to allow sin in the world. Was is God? I think not. It was humans, just like us. The bottom line is we live in a world full of sin...and therefore, this environment is often full of pain, hurt, and deep valleys.

The comfort is that we, as believers, are NOT alone! When the hurt and pain just seem to be too much, it is so nice to know that there is someone who can carry us. We don't have to stand and endure the howling wind and biting rain all on our own. So, as far as we are concerned, we will be thankful, in spite of the pain, that we have someone to walk with us through our valleys in life.

We will cling to to promises in God's word. Like in Romans 5 - "...because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit..."

And, as His children, the one beam of light in the midst of a storm is that love and hope that floods our souls. That is the ONLY thing that gets us through. Not that it ever becomes easy...but because these storms are inevitable in this fallen world. We cry out to Him in our pain and feel that powerful love fill us. What else can we do but cling to the One who loves us beyond measure.

We hope and pray you have this assurance, too. Don't endure the storms of life without the One who cares.

Cindy and crew