My husband and I spend our winters in Florida. We have just recently made the transition down and are becoming acclimated to our winter digs. As most of you know, Florida experienced a devastating hurricane in September of this year, with most of it hitting the interior of the state. Guess what, Sebring, our home address is right in the middle of the state and I was told our county was the 2nd hardest hit of all after Key West. Who would have ever guessed? By God’s goodness and grace we only had minor damage compared to most. We do not have water front property but live close enough that I can take my 3-mile long walks along the beautiful Lake Jackson. The storm did a devastating job on the docks and boathouses and along the lakeshore. I believe that all were severely destroyed or damaged beyond repair. They look pretty sad.
As I walked along and observed these yet to be repaired / salvaged structures, I was reminded that sometimes the storms of life knock out our props that keep us looking good and feeling safe and secure. They generally come with little warning and we are left groping for meaning and purpose in it all. Where do we turn? Since I know most if not all of you are sisters in the Lord, you all know the rote answer is “The Lord”. And that is the correct answer but what if my mind says one thing and my heart says another?
Well, we need to go to our source of hope, the Bible even if you don’t feel like it. Follow the scripturally instructed wise council of your renewed mind. We need to repair our props, find our stability, our strength, our hope, our courage, and our renewed faith. Don’t look for it in any other place. A good place to start is to look at the Preeminence of Christ. Who he is, what he has done for us, and the position that he has made possible for us through his death and resurrection. A good place to read is Ephesians 1:3-14.
We must never tolerate an instant unbelief as to the goodness of the Lord: whatever else may be questionable, this is absolutely certain – our God is always good, his ways may not be understandable but his nature cannot change. He was, He is, and He will always be good. Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, he knows those who take refuge in him.”
Maybe the storms of life have “knocked out your props”. I pray that you will seek His face and ask Him to increase your faith and help you trust in His goodness. Trust him even when you don’t see the way, or know the way. Seek him until He shows you the way. He will – I can attest to His goodness when the storms have come my way.
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