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Life's Storms meet God's Peace

by Erica Green

 
Life's Storms meet God's Peace - Literal and emotional storms

 
I know that it might sound a little peculiar, but I have always found rain and storms to be quite comforting.  If I had lived in another country, like South Africa for example, where lightning storms can be very destructive or if I had lived through some of the devastating tsunamis that have been so prevalent in the news over the last few years, I might have developed quite a different attitude. 

As a kid I would sit on the porch at home, huddled up in a blanket watching the rain pour down.  The wind would blow spray from the downpour into the porch and you could feel the cold and damp against your face whilst the rest of your body was all rugged up and feeling snugly warm.   I could easily sit there for hours just watching, musing and telling myself stories.  (Hey, that is one melancholy kid.)

I loved umbrellas too.  That should come as no surprise given my revelation so far.  They were just great, your own personal shelter that you can fold up and carry in your bag, ready for any precipitative occasion that might arise.  Walking to school in the rain was fun if you had your own portable shelter.

As a teenager, I considered that only the best chic flicks would include the totally predictable scene where hero and heroine get caught in a rain storm.  They run for cover to a nearby gazebo or old farm house, where they shelter until the storm passes.  Unsurprisingly, through the process of keeping each other dry and warm they discover their love for one another and of course live happily ever after.  (Ah! Isn't that sweet)

Even now I still love the sound of rain on the roof at night when I am tucked up in bed and the best time to be at the beach is when you can sit under shelter and watch a storm roll in across the horizon.  You must, of course, observe the tradition of counting the seconds between the lightning and thunder in order to see how close the storm is.  Looking up the radar image on the Bureau of Meteorology web site is no substitute.

I think that the common denominator here for me is not so much the storm itself but the feeling of being safe and protected whilst the storm rages on around me.

At these times I can't help but think of the song "Sheltered in the Arms of God" by Dottie Rambo. For me music always comes first and then later I will hear the lyrics.  But in this case the lyrics are pretty much an integral part for me. 

Sheltered in the Arms of God

I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender.
They're leading me in the paths that I must trod.
I'll have no fear for Jesus walks beside me
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.

So let the storms rage high,
The dark clouds rise,
They don't worry me;
For I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God.
He walks with me,
And naught of earth shall harm me,
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.

Soon I shall hear the call from heaven's portals
Come home my child,
It's the last mile you must trod
I'll fall asleep
And wake in God's sweet heaven
Sheltered safe within the arms of God.

So let the storms rage high,
The dark clouds rise,
They don't worry me;
For I'm sheltered safe within the arms of God.
He walks with me,
And naught of earth shall harm me,
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God.
(Lyrics: Dottie Rambo)

I do not believe that as Christians we are necessarily immune from the storms and troubles of this world, but rather, what we do have is access to comfort and a peace that extends beyond ourselves and our circumstances.

"Do not be anxious about anything, ..."  (Philippians 4:6, NIV)

Yeah right, easier said than done.  People only say that because they have no idea what we are going through.  In the words of Randy Newman "People think I'm crazy, 'cause I worry all the time. If you paid attention, you'd be worried too." (Lyrics-It's a Jungle Out There). 

" ... by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. " (Philippians 4:6, NIV)

But God has a remedy for this downward spiral and it comes in two doses:- Prayer and Thanksgiving.  Prayer gives God permission to 'interfere' in our lives and thanksgiving is an acknowledgement that God is the source of all good things. 

"... And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NIV)

This text does not say that the storms in our lives will be stilled.  He does not promise to solve all of our earthly problems.  What he does promise is a protective shield for our hearts and our minds.  As with the remedy, similarly the solution is twofold.  He promises a solution for our emotions or feelings ('heart') and for our intellect or our reasoning ('minds').  There is not much left to worry with after you have got both of those bases covered.

The storms may still be raging around about you.  The dangers and vulnerabilities may still be at hand, but the peace that God has promised is sufficient to fill every nook and cranny of our hearts and minds, such that there is no opportunity for fear or anxiety to gain even a foothold, let alone threaten to overwhelm us.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  (John 14:27, NIV)

It makes no sense that we should be calm in the face of adversity.  But then there are a lot of things that are a little upside down when it comes to the kingdom of God vs the kingdom of this world.

I guess that I have had the luxury in my life of enjoying rain and storms because I have led a pretty sheltered life.  I guess also, that I can endure the metaphorical storms of life too, if I am willing to avail myself of the shelter of God and experience the peace that He has to offer.  With such on offer I really need to start spending more time claiming Phil 4:6-7 and start living the life of peace that God has planned for us. 

"Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel." (Philippians 4:6-7, CEV)

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