“Do not fear, for I am with you! Do not anxiously look about you, For I am your God! I will strengthen you, I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. “
~Isaiah 41: 10
A young couple decided to kayak from Maine all the way down to Florida. They planned their trip, got sponsors to support them, and blogged and wrote about their trip. With all of the seasons and storms, it took them a year to finish. Storms of great magnitude arose along their journey, sending waves crashing all around them. Often the rain would pelt continuously on their weary bodies and soak them to the bone. Discouragement would overwhelm and they would think, "Why did we undertake this? We will never finish. It is too difficult. No one can do it!"
Once, however, in the midst of such a storm, they made a pact with each other: "We will never make a decision to quit when we are in the midst of a storm."
A simple, but profound commitment, and one we ought to consider, ourselves!
So many dear friends are surrounded by storms in their lives right now--economic, illness, weariness, loneliness, no support systems or anyone to help; difficult marriages, prodigal children, fear of the future, despair because of the times we are in … The list goes on and on.
I have been through so many storms in my own life when I felt I could not go on---three out of my four children being asthmatics with constant illness and emergency room situations; 17 moves and the accompanying loneliness; four children to homeschool with very few support systems over the years and years of exhaustion; stress in finances, ministry, marriage; "giants" within our family that caused great difficulty and despair about which I may never write, because I believe in honor and loyalty in family relationships.
Often, I would think, "I cannot go on. My circumstances will turn out for the worst. There is no hope. Where has God gone?"
And yet, it is in the midst of the storms of life, that our faith is most precious. It is in these times when we can say to Satan, "You would have me fear, but I choose to believe in the goodness of God and in His provision.”
May our hearts be as David's, who wrote,
"The Lord is my light and salvation; Whom shall I fear.
The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?
When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and enemies,
they stumbled and fell.
Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear.
Though a war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident." Psalm 27: 1-3
Don’t quit, mama, in the midst of your storm.
The light is coming.