trials

Stormy Days and Sleepless Nights

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Rainy wet days are not good for getting my steps in, but lots of good came from the storm clouds this week. My dying rose bushes really appreciated the rain. There is something about the water from heaven that truly beats the water from the hose. The bushes find almost instant satisfaction and renewal.

I find the same type of satisfaction in the midst of a storm. While storm raged overhead, they also raged inside. I got to have conversations with different women this week that revealed how God worked through their storms. Like the dried out roses, some women were beaten and battered but at the roots they were nourished. They found strength in the struggle.

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This week something that was meant to harm me, turned into one of my most powerful moments.  I took that and empowered others. God is so good. I know many women going through right now, but let me tell you God is getting some glory through them. Several times I had to stop and shout because the Lord’s word does not return void.

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I can’t count how many times this week I have said, “Don’t worry, God has got this! Don’t be afraid. Trust the process.”  We tend to focus on the the dark clouds overhead, and not the impact the clouds have on our life. We only have one way of seeing a storm as something that is coming to destroy us. When all the Lord is doing is tearing loose something that has us bound.

But we need to pray to see the storm the way the Lord sees it.

He tells us in His word that His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8)

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Rained On But Not Overwhelmed

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After I finished an 11 hour shift, I stopped and pumped gas in the rain because I was headed home and didn’t plan on venturing out anymore that evening. My T-shirt and jacket were wet from the rain, but I was headed home and traffic was light. It wasn’t going to take long.

Driving along one of many highway construction zone, I got a flat and had to pull over and park on the side of the road. I was a long way from home. It was dark, rainy and cold. Did I mention I was wet?

I called for a service to come change the tire, waited and prayed none of the cars speeding by would hit me. My sister, who is better than your sister, came and sat with me. She sat in her car (because she needed to listen to the game) and I in mine. It was still cold, rainy and dark. My car shook as 18-wheelers sped pass me.

I prayed, Lord I am sure there is a lesson in this. Help me know what you want me to get from this.

Shortly after that my sister pointed out that behind us about a fourth of a mile, there was a car in a ditch. Focused on my misery I had not noticed the still headlights in my rear view mirror. The car’s lights were on but we were not sure if anyone was in the car. The ditch was filling up with water. That car was in a worse position than mine.

Help arrived for both of us at the same time.

My lesson: No matter how bad your situation seems, there is always someone who has it worse.

What struggle seems to be drowning you? The Lord has promised in Isaiah 43:2 that when we pass through the waters, He will be with us and the river will not overcome us. At the right time, someone came along and helped us out of those situations. Sit back and let Him teach you what He wants you to know. Instead of being lost in your own misery, allow God to give you some perspective about your circumstances.

Lord, help me find a way to praise you in all my circumstances even when I am soak in cold rain, and it is dark and I can’t do what I want. Thank you for sending someone along side me to wait with me. Thank you for sending rescuers. Amen.