Our weekend sailing trip started with blue skies, white fluffy clouds, and a whole lot of sunshine.
Nothing signaled that a storm was just around the bend.
Until it hit.
I thought the thick, low-hanging, midnight-black clouds would reach down and wrap us in darkness. The wind tipped our little sailboat precariously onto its side. The icy rain came at us sideways; it felt like shards of glass on our faces. Once we were able to get the sails down, our captain yelled only one command: “Just hang on!” You bet we did.
I’ve never been in a storm on the water like that since. (Actually, I’ve never been back on the water in a sailboat since!) But I’ve had my share of life storms. You too?
This is truth …
You can always find some sunshine—some joy—in every day.
This is also truth …
There are some life squalls that make it almost impossible to find even a glimmer of that sunshine or joy.
Our parents’ memories fade, and their aches and pains increase. Disease is rampant, and then a world-wide pandemic hits. Jobs are lost and finances are drained. People you love are hurting and you can’t fix it.
We feel like we’re drowning.
Maybe you’ve been looking for that bridge over troubled waters. Or perhaps your boat has capsized and you’re just struggling to keep your head above water. Your arms are beyond weary, and you can feel the swirling current pulling on your aching legs.
Reading the first few verses in the 46th Psalm this morning described those storms. And the words reminded me that there is hope.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountain fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountain quake with their surging.”
Can’t you just see it? Waters roaring and foaming. Ships tipping and waves whipping. And we’re just hanging on. So let’s go back to the first verse…”God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
This is another truth …
God will never, ever let you go. No struggle is too hard for Him. No storm is stronger. No disease, heartache, disappointment, discouragement, is too heavy.
God’s got you. He lasts.
He is an ever-present help.
He is our lifejacket that keeps our heads above water.
He is our anchor that holds us tight.
Are you tired of gulping lake water as you struggle to keep from sinking?
Look away from the storm and look at The One Who Holds You.
Invite God into your storm. He will always show up.
