Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.
I do not recall the last year when we had so many storms pound us one right after the other. I am thinking it was the early 2000’s or so. Mind you, my memory is not the best and I was working a lot after 2003, so my time frame could be off. In the last week alone, it feels like we have been handed a new and severe storm each day. Mowing is all but out of the question, though the grass is green and full … and high.
I told you about my drive to the airport and how much ‘fun’ it was. Last night we had another very loud and very powerful storm come through our area, during which my dog decided to have a panic attack in the midst of it, which of course woke me up. In her defense, the storm and my overactive imagination had already stirred me, so it was not like I was sound asleep. However, I called her over to my side of the bed and we had an ‘its okay’ pet and conversation as the storm made its way through the noisy and scary part. This morning, she is in my office with me as another part of this storm party is making its way through.
Her reaction to the storms reminded me of myself. As powerful and influential storms pass through my life, sometimes they are intimidating enough to send me into an internal panic attack. (Rarely are they visible to anyone other than those closest to me because of my pride…just being honest.) Last night, as I calmed my dog, I felt the Holy Spirit remind me that what I was doing to settle her down, He did/does for me. A simple, yet effective, visual aid to remind me that I am not alone in my storms. All I need to do is put my eyes and my faith in the One who has everything under control.
Last night, when my dog came to my side of the bed for comfort, she knew that I would not let anything happen to her. She felt soothing and calm begin almost instantly. After a few minutes of reassurance and light, loving pets, she returned to her bed on the floor and slept the rest of the night. This is the peace that the Holy Spirit brings to us in our storms … if we truly believe and trust that He is the one who will not allow anything to hurt/happen to us. Just before the first big thunder cracker hit, my overactive imagination had already begun; the Holy Spirit sent my dog to me for comfort, to release my mind from the internal chaos I was building and to place my focus on Him. It worked. My focus changed to soothing the dog and my anxiety went down tremendously, so then I could get back to sleep.
The Trinity is a powerful tool in our arsenal against our daily battles. God created us. Jesus died for us. The Holy Spirit holds us close in times of struggle to remind us of our value to the first two. Leaning on Them, is the only way to truly release the demons of our mind and regain our peace. Peter had faith to step out of the boat, but allowed his eyes to see the storm, so he sank … but … he called out for the One who was on the water with him and reached for His hand. When we start focusing on the storms, we lose sight of the One who saved us in the first place, but when we call out … He is there.
Today, as the storms of life push through, keep your eyes focused on the One who will hold you close and protect you. Invite Him to come sit and cuddle with you as your storm passes. The comfort you receive is unimaginable and beautifully felt.
Be blessed.
** “Come.” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. – Matthew 14:29-31a
Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.
I do not recall the last year when we had so many storms pound us one right after the other. I am thinking it was the early 2000’s or so. Mind you, my memory is not the best and I was working a lot after 2003, so my time frame could be off. In the last week alone, it feels like we have been handed a new and severe storm each day. Mowing is all but out of the question, though the grass is green and full … and high.
I told you about my drive to the airport and how much ‘fun’ it was. Last night we had another very loud and very powerful storm come through our area, during which my dog decided to have a panic attack in the midst of it, which of course woke me up. In her defense, the storm and my overactive imagination had already stirred me, so it was not like I was sound asleep. However, I called her over to my side of the bed and we had an ‘its okay’ pet and conversation as the storm made its way through the noisy and scary part. This morning, she is in my office with me as another part of this storm party is making its way through.
Her reaction to the storms reminded me of myself. As powerful and influential storms pass through my life, sometimes they are intimidating enough to send me into an internal panic attack. (Rarely are they visible to anyone other than those closest to me because of my pride…just being honest.) Last night, as I calmed my dog, I felt the Holy Spirit remind me that what I was doing to settle her down, He did/does for me. A simple, yet effective, visual aid to remind me that I am not alone in my storms. All I need to do is put my eyes and my faith in the One who has everything under control.
Last night, when my dog came to my side of the bed for comfort, she knew that I would not let anything happen to her. She felt soothing and calm begin almost instantly. After a few minutes of reassurance and light, loving pets, she returned to her bed on the floor and slept the rest of the night. This is the peace that the Holy Spirit brings to us in our storms … if we truly believe and trust that He is the one who will not allow anything to hurt/happen to us. Just before the first big thunder cracker hit, my overactive imagination had already begun; the Holy Spirit sent my dog to me for comfort, to release my mind from the internal chaos I was building and to place my focus on Him. It worked. My focus changed to soothing the dog and my anxiety went down tremendously, so then I could get back to sleep.
The Trinity is a powerful tool in our arsenal against our daily battles. God created us. Jesus died for us. The Holy Spirit holds us close in times of struggle to remind us of our value to the first two. Leaning on Them, is the only way to truly release the demons of our mind and regain our peace. Peter had faith to step out of the boat, but allowed his eyes to see the storm, so he sank … but … he called out for the One who was on the water with him and reached for His hand. When we start focusing on the storms, we lose sight of the One who saved us in the first place, but when we call out … He is there.
Today, as the storms of life push through, keep your eyes focused on the One who will hold you close and protect you. Invite Him to come sit and cuddle with you as your storm passes. The comfort you receive is unimaginable and beautifully felt.
Be blessed.
** “Come.” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. – Matthew 14:29-31a
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