Avery, our six year old granddaughter, was spending the night with us. We had finished dinner and were settling in to watch a movie. All of a sudden lightning strikes lit up the living room. I thought it was the television, but Avery insisted that it was lightning. Then the loud deafening thunder sounded, as if the clouds had decided in unison to roll across the sky. Large raindrops began to fall to the ground. It seemed that God was pouring gallons of water from a large heavenly pail. The next words out of her mouth were, “Mimi, I’m scared. I don’t like storms. I want to sleep with you and Pop.” Three in the same bed with two middle aged “get up in the night” people was not going to work, but how could I explain that to Avery! She was genuinely afraid of the storm. I told her we had an hour before bedtime, and that we would see if the storm had passed by then. She was okay with that, but was insistent that she sleep downstairs on the floor beside our bed. In just a few minutes, we had managed to go from our bed to the floor. My hope was to talk her into the couch in the living room, but I decided to wait until bedtime to discuss where she would be sleeping.
We went on with eating our frozen yogurt and working on her loom. She wanted to make a bracelet. Sure enough, after an hour the storm had passed and it was quiet outside. I told Avery that I had a comfy down coverlet I would put on the couch. That way she would be warm and cozy on the couch and just a holler away from Mimi and Pop. She was good with sleeping there, but was still somewhat concerned that another storm might come. I assured her that the rain had passed; she asked if I would pray with her. I said, “Certainly I will pray with you.” I prayed over her and asked God to give her rest and keep us safe from the storm. I left her with a flashlight, her doll, her lamb, her loom, and all the rest of the items she requested to be in the bed with her!
After fifteen minutes, I returned to check on her and she was sound asleep! Gone! Out like a light! She was peacefully resting. The fear that gripped her earlier was gone. She was no longer scared because prayer brought her peace. When I am afraid I stop to pray. Fear and faith cannot coincide. We all know that fear is the opposite of faith. Fear is very real and can often overcome us. But, if we will stop and pray, God will send His peace, and we will be able to rest once again. The storm will have passed!
There have been times over the past few years when I have been scared of the storm I was caught up in; it seemed to be overtaking me. The thunder and lightning so deafening that I could not hear the Father’s voice saying, “Peace be still.” I cried out in the midst of the storm, and He heard my voice. He calmed the storm and brought peace and rest once again.
If you find that you are in the midst of a storm, scared and fearful, cry out to Him. No matter the intensity of the storm, He promises to hear your cry and answer, giving peace and rest. His Spirit will wrap around you with a sense of warmth and security. You are never alone!
Father, oh the magnificence of a storm. To sit and watch it is majestic, but to be caught up in the midst of it can be scary. Thank you that your spirit dwells in the midst of the storm, and that I am never overcome by it. Thank you that You hear my cry and bring peace and rest in the midst of strong winds, heavy rain, and deafening thunderous circumstances. You are peace- My Prince of Peace!
“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Fear not, for I am with you.” Isaiah 43:11-5a
“Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, and praise Him in the company of the elders.” Psalm 107:28-32
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6