On the Gulf Coast where I live, Hurricane Nate is threatening
to barrel down on the coastal region this weekend. I noticed today that when I
went to pick up groceries from Wal-Mart, many were panicked and anxious as this
storm was threatening our area. I did my best to get out of Wal-Mart quickly
because I did not want to get panicky myself as I was observing and listening
to the many who were anxious.
There are weather storms and there are the “storms” of
life. I had a mix of this last week of the storms of life and a storm that is
currently headed to my hometown. For many that encounter any type of storm a
first reaction is to panic, and then to fret and fear. I admit my first
reaction to any type of storm is not always calmness, but I am learning that
God always takes care of me.
If you listen to people who are spouting off their
anxieties about the “storms” around, or if you watch or read the negative news
reports it is very likely that you will become anxious.
Sometimes God calms the storm. Sometimes He lets the storm
rage and calms His child. When you remain calm in the midst of a storm it shows
your trust in God. Storms will often expose your lack of trust in God.
How
do you remain calm when storms of any type threaten your peace?
1. Don’t
react. Take a deep breath and go sit quietly before the Lord. Allow the Holy
Spirit to speak calmness to your fears.
2. Don’t
copy what the anxious and fearful are doing. If you listen to others who are
panicking it can cause you to begin to worry by putting thoughts in your head
you did not even think of before. Watch who you listen to when storms come.
3. Don’t
speak out your worries. Go to the Father and pray, giving him your concerns. Use
your authority in Jesus Christ to command your storms to lessen or to complete
leave.
4. As
simple as this may sound, trust God. Trust God that He will take care of what
is concerning you. Peace comes only when you trust God.
5. Be
patient as you wait for the storm to pass. All storms eventually pass. Don’t
buy into negative thinking that storms last forever. In this world there is a
mix of good days and difficult days. Stay focused more on your good days and
allow those times to outshine in your mind.
Meditate
and reflect on these scriptures:
He
stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:29
You
of little faith, why are you so afraid? Then He got up and rebuked the winds
and the waves, and it was completely calm. Matthew 8:26
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