LS & BC Memoirs – March 19-21, 2022
Lightning Strike Memoirs 27-29 October 2021
My HOPE in the Storm
Lamentations 3:22-25
It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
What encouraging verses from God’s Word! These became my life verses after I was struck by lightning five years ago. It’s a comfort to know that I can have hope in the Lord even when my world seems dark and topsy-turvy.
We can trust His promises because of His great faithfulness.
When you feel lonely and afraid, you can find peace and comfort through scripture, as well as hope to face each day.
Cling to God’s Promises
Hebrews 13:5 tells us that God “will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” When we feel discouraged or overwhelmed by burdens, we can know that God is right there with us. He wants to help; all we have to do is ask.
We can also read in Jeremiah 29:11 that God “know(s) the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” We must understand and believe that God keeps His promises. This can give us the courage and strength for each day. God can deliver us from the feeling of hopelessness.
Don’t Quit!
Romans 5:3-5 tells us “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
However difficult a pill it is to swallow, God sometimes allows tribulations to grow our faith or even to chip off some of the rough edges that do not belong in our lives. As long as we look to the Lord for our guidance and strength, He can use the hard times of hopelessness to make us a better person and to give us hope for the future.
Yes, the battle can get burdensome, and you can grow weary in the journey, but don’t despair because God has promised that we shall reap blessings if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Hope for the best outcome
Romans 8:28 tells us that “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” I know this verse is quoted a lot and perhaps even misused, but God does have our best interests at heart.
The knowledge that God will resolve things for your good gives such amazing hope.
Though sometimes it can be challenging to see, don’t lose hope. Joshua 1:8 encourages us to “be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” God loves you very much and desires to see you succeed. When we determine to follow God’s Word, He will help us through the trials and restore joy in our lives.
“Hope is being able to see the light despite the darkness around you.” Desmond Tutu
You can download and print the Scripture Calendar here:
https://charitymaeprosper.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SJ-Hope-in-the-Storm.pdf
Trusting God in the Midst of the Storm
When God Rocks Your Boat by Danielle Pickering
Lightning Strikes
I have a new appreciation for Lamentation 3:22-23 “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed…”
I was struck by lightning on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. The meteorologists called for rain that day, but it was a sunny day. I was sitting at the kitchen table working on our laptop when all of a sudden I heard an extremely loud clap of thunder. Our daughter saw a blue streak of light come through the house and I was being zapped!!! Our middle son felt a light zap through his earbuds as he was on the computer in the living room, but he’s had no lasting effects from it.
We later found out that lightning had struck the ground not ten feet outside the back of the house. It side flashed and came through the house hitting me on my left side! We screamed!
I lost control of my left hand and dropped the cell phone. The left side of my body was immediately numb and tingling. I had an enormous headache, my chest hurt horribly, it felt like I was being stung all over at the same time, and I was disoriented.
My husband came home from work and took me to the E.R. The ER Doctor admitted that he had never treated a lightning strike survivor and had to google internet to find out what to do. They ran tests (EKG, bloodwork, and Xrays) to check my heart for damage. Everything seemed to be okay. After several hours, I was sent home.
The next couple of weeks were a blur for me. I am struggling with side effects that could either be temporary or permanent. I am not bouncing back as fast as I’d like, and my thoughts are often quite scattered.
I am thankful that the Lord spared my life “because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
We are asking prayers for complete healing and relief of pain that I now experience on a daily basis. Hug your loved ones because you are not promised tomorrow.
