Guide Dog Tale: Until the Storm Passes

 

UNTIL THE STORM PASSES

By Carolyn Dale Newell

You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

Psalm 32:7 NKJV

 

I snuggled beneath the warm covers. Iva raised up, but she curled up between us. Good! She would go back to sleep. Iva possesses an internal clock with a 6 AM alarm that usually is flawless. My phone announced lightening had been detected within a four-mile radius. Hopefully, Iva would sleep until the storm passed.

Siri announced another notification about rain. I barely heard it above the thunder cracking and waves breaking outside our oceanfront hotel.

Thoughts rushed through my head. I would have to dig out our matching glow-worm green rain coats. Iva hates her raincoat, because she doesn’t want anything on her head. If we go out now, the thunder may frighten Iva. She never reacts to it, but that can always change. taking her out to the bathroom could result in getting struck by lightning. Not likely, but possible. Please Lord, let the storm pass by before Iva awakes.

Lightening flashed. Iva stirred. I laid still. She nestled up to my husband. She moved blankets and pillows to lay her head on his chest. Daddy, keep me safe from the lightening.

I drifted back to sleep. I woke up when my hubby was taking Iva out. All that remained of the storm was a drizzle. Iva returned to our room slightly damp.

When our path takes us through the storms of life, we often focus on the what-ifs. We stress about every possible scenario our storm could present. None of my fears came to fruition. Iva was spared from the humiliation of her raincoat. Thunder failed to startle her, and no one was struck by lightning.

Iva came through the storm with just a few raindrops on her. Thanks to my husband, I benefited from the storm by gaining a few minutes of sleep.

Storms threaten us. They hold us hostage to our own anxieties. Many storms are extremely serious. An illness. A death. An accident. Finances, family, jobs, addictions, heartache, pain, sorrow, prodigals, abandonment, grief, and the list go on. These storms damage and destroy, but we add to their destruction by our what-ifs.

When the thunder rolls and lightening splits the sky, we can take a hint from Iva. We must snuggle up to our heavenly Daddy. Move things out of the way. Push them aside like Iva pawed at the sheets. We can nestle under our Father’s wings in safety and security.

Instead of asking, “what if,” let’s ask, “who will?” God will! His wings dim the lightening bolts. He softens the thunder. He keeps us dry and warm, until the storm passes.

Copyright 2018 Carolyn Dale Newell.

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Where is my Peace?

 

WHERE IS MY PEACE

By Carolyn Dale Newell

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 NKJV

Nothing could portray peace more than a sleeping baby snuggled in his mother’s arms. Mary recognized the peace all would receive since the baby Messiah came into the world.

At His birth, Jesus brought peace to the believing world. Before He departed, He gave His peace to His own. Why does the world still seek for tranquility?

First, this gift is only for the redeemed. It is a spiritual peace, unrecognizable by the world. We own this gift, but have we left it upon a shelf?

One Christmas, someone gave my husband a GPS. He has never used it. He has never benefited from it because it still sits in the box.

That is what happens to our peace. We possess it, but we refuse to utilize it. We allow emotions to rule our lives, chasing any peace away. We dwell on small anxieties rather than our big God. We spend time worrying rather than praying. We try to solve our problems rather than handing them over to God.

When we choose panic over peace and dread over prayer, we play right into Satan’s hand. He comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).

We access peace through thankfulness. A grateful heart rests calmly. Thank God for what He has done and will do.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

This verse commands us to stop being anxious. Stop fretting. It directs us to pray. God’s first response to prayer is peace. Even before our requests are answered, peace flows in when we hit our knees. Prayer is the channel through which peace flows.

Another key to tranquility is righteousness. All blessings follow obedience. A disobedient life forfeits harmony.

The final avenue to peace is faith. Anxiety rules when we do not believe God will break through on our problem. Our doubts infiltrate our peace. Believe for your miracle. Believe God will save that unbelieving spouse. Believe God will break the chains of addiction. Believe your loved one will be made whole. Believe!

When we believe, we no longer stare at the problem, because we believe the problem will soon fail to exist. We focus on God.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah :3 NKJV

Perfect peace rests on those who completely trust in God. They look nowhere, but the face of the Father for solutions.

Our peace is not missing in action. It sits upon the shelf, waiting for us to pick it up and put it to use. Go grab your peace today.

Lord Jesus, Your birth brought peace. As we embark upon the Christmas season, help us activate the gift of peace You have given us. In Your name, we pray, Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read Colossians 3:15.

HIKING THE TRAIL

Which emotions rob you of peace most often? Resist being a slave to those feelings, and rely on a thankful, obedient faith looking to Jesus for peace.

Copyright 2017 Carolyn Dale Newell.