Finding Peace in the Storm
Life is inevitably unpredictable.
I know I certainly wasn’t expecting to receive a cancer diagnosis this year, let alone undergo treatments and all the parameters that go with it. It can be quite overwhelming not only to receive such news but also to try to navigate through it all – taking in all the information, researching treatment options (conventional vs. natural vs. complimentary), decisions on which treatments you’ll take, surgery options, insurance issues, financial struggles, etc. Then, there’s the plethora of questions that boggle your mind. How long has it been there? How did I get it? Will the suggested treatments be effective? Is the household paperwork in order so my husband can figure things out to keep the household management flowing smoothly? Is my DNA affected? How am I going to manage? What is the survival rate? Etc.
As I am writing this, I have received my 5th round of chemotherapy. I am now dealing with multiple side effects of the chemotherapy, which make me feel miserable. I received a call from my oncologist surgeon’s office that they needed to reschedule my next appointment. Attempting to keep track of all the multiple appointments with several doctors gets very confusing and tiring at times. Sometimes I just want to throw my hands in the air and say, “I give up!”
All these things can lead to confusion and anxiety. God is not the author of these nor does He want us to dwell on them long. 2 Timothy 1:7 says “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Is it possible to experience peace in the midst of a storm? Yes, peace is possible.
Jesus says in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
I understand that difficulties in the midst of life can cause tiredness . . . discouragement . . . depression . . . anxiety . . . anger . . . bitterness . . . jealousy . . . pain . . . sadness . . . miscommunication . . . misunderstandings . . . loneliness . . . etc. These can cause you to wonder if the storm will ever change.
Often, people will sit still in the storm for years, never doing anything about it.
In the midst of your storms, peace can be found.
Four keys to experiencing peace in the storm:
- Trust God’s Word
We need to trust God all of the time, especially in the storm!
Utilizing prayer without studying God’s Word is like watering the ground without seed. God’s Word must be read, meditated upon, and lived.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
Often, we cry out to God for help, but forget to open His Word. God’s love letter to us is filled with precious promises and unfathomable wisdom to direct our paths on life’s journey. Yet, we fail to even touch the hem of the garment of power available to us.
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. Psalm 119:92-93
We need to trust God’s Word because it provides us with assurance, comfort, and hope during storms.
2. Do not let fear rule your thoughts
It’s natural to be afraid when a storm arises. I’m sure all of us, at some point, get afraid when faced with difficult situations. We must not stay there!
The cure for fear is faith. Faith triumphs over fear! These are conflicting forces. To make faith the standard for our lives, we must decide to do so. We must have faith in our unfailing God.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
Did you know that the phrases “fear not” and “be not afraid” are mentioned in the Bible over three hundred times? It’s not God’s will for us to live in fear.
John 14:1 encourages us to not let fear rule our lives.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1
Just as Romans 10:17 informs us that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”; in the same way, fear arises by hearing from the outside world and Satan.
- Trust in God’s goodness
The disciples doubted God’s goodness when they experienced the storm in Mark 4:35-41. They felt that Jesus didn’t care whether they lived or died. Before we quickly jump to judging the disciples for their lack of faith, we need to examine our own hearts.
How quick are we to doubt God’s goodness when a trial or storm arises?
It’s easy to fall into the trap of hopelessness and uncertainty when we are faced with life’s storms. We question God’s judgment when he permits trying and painful trials to enter our lives.
Remember, God does care for us.
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Rather than ask the “WHY?” We need to change our perspective and ask “What does this mean for me?” “How can God use my situation for His glory?”
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11
Learning to trust God unconditionally is sometimes uncomfortable and difficult to do. Waiting on the Lord can sometimes be tense and stressful, especially when we are in a hurry for the answers.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Psalm 130:6
You may feel as though your current situation is a nightmare. You might even be scared, struggling to catch your breath or even worried. That doesn’t mean that you don’t believe in God. It just means you are human.
God is our one source of strength, and we discover this to be true when we have nothing else left to rely on but what comes promptly and directly from God. Waiting for him is worthwhile. God is for you and is at work in your life.
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6
- Acknowledge that God is in control
We must also comprehend that the One who called us will keep us in any situation we may be in.
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
Our God is the same God who parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14), stopped the sun (Joshua 10), revived the dead (Matthew 9), and healed the sick (Matthew 4:23; Mark 5; Luke 6). God is on our side!
God may intervene to change the situation, deliver us from a dire situation, or accompany us while we navigate through the storm.
Whether you are going through a storm, facing financial difficulty, suffering from sickness, or are discouraged, cheer up because Jesus is with you all the way!
Even in the midst of your storm, you can feel the peace that Christ offers you! He can comfort you and give you peace that passes all understanding.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
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