When The Storm Comes

Some days or seasons it feels as though the clouds have parted and the very light from heaven is beaming down on you. Everything is going great! Your relationship with God is amazing, you and your spouse are connecting on a very close, intimate level, you feel like you have your feet under you when it comes to caring for the kids, and life just couldn't get any better. It's a mountaintop season and you are loving life.

Then there are those other times. Where you know God is there, but the dark clouds have rolled in and it seems like the thunder drowns out His voice as the lightning strikes and the rain comes down so hard you have to duck your head, close your eyes, and just run for shelter. That might seem a bit dramatic, but maybe you're there right now and it is all too real. Or maybe it's somewhere in between. The last several weeks have been a stormy season for my family and I in general. My step dad was very ill over the summer (I'm talking ICU ill) and is still not out of the woods although being out of the hospital. In the last week his sister had emergency surgery for an infected finger, then his mother passed away, then...then....then.... You get the idea. It starts to feel like the rain will never end and with each bolt of lightning comes another unexpected, blinding blow. I confessed to my husband and my God the other day that I just don't know what to do. I hate seeing my loved ones suffer, but know there is little to nothing I can do to "fix" the situation. It is unreal the number of ways God has spoken encouragement to me over the last several days following this confession. I don't have a tried and true way to resolve this, but I can pass along the tidbits of encouragement He has given me and encourage you to make the same confessions if you find yourself in a similar situation. And understand, the situation itself hasn't changed, but my perspective has been adjusted. Here are just a few encouragements:

The morning after making this confession I was trying to get my 8 month old fed, changed, dressed, and happy to go to our bi-weekly Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPs) meeting.  And it was just one of those mornings.  He refused to eat, had to be changed again before we got out the door, and cried in the car seat until he finally settled down . . . and we ran into traffic.  During this time God gave me the peace of mind to pray – "Lord, do something!  I can't do all of this."  And suddenly a song came on.  I don't normally have the radio on, but Jesus knew.  It started like this – "Well forgive me, forgive me if I'm wrong, but this looks like more than I can do on my own."  Boy did that get my attention.  It was my prayer!  Here's where it ended:

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

("Strong Enough" by Matthew West)

I don't have to be strong enough.  In and of myself I'm not strong enough.  BUT God is!  I can have peace knowing He is strong enough and I can rest easy in that.

The next encouragement was very simple.  As we left that meeting I got behind a mini-van whose license plate was very simply "God Wins."  What a great reminder!  Yeah, life is tough right now, but in the end I know that God wins!

Many of the troubles my family faces right now I find hard to believe will every truly change.  They are "impossible."  Things I have grown accustomed to and, if I'm completely honest, I have lost faith will ever be different.  So here's how God got me there:

We say, "I always failed there, and I always will."  Consequently, we don't ask for what we want.  Instead, we think, "it is ridiculous to ask God to do this."  If it is an impossibility, it is the very thing for which we have to ask.  If it is not an impossible thing, it is not a real disturbance.  And God will do what is absolutely impossible.  [My Utmost for His Highest}

Did you catch that?  God works in the impossible.  Too often I get bogged down in the idea that it will never change and so give up on praying for it . . . instead of going to the only One who has the ultimate power to reach down and change the impossible.  Man was that convicting to read!  So when I feel utterly helpless and out of control as I face hard situations, what am I to do?  Go to the One who is in complete control.  Don't write off prayer as "doing nothing."

Last one, I promise.  Sometimes we face hard moments.  We pray and ask God to do something, work in the impossible and nothing happens.  The person passes away, the illness gets worse, the finances don't appear, we don't get that promotion, and the list goes on.  What then?  It's a tough question and one that many people answer by walking away from their faith.  Here's the thing.  We need to trust that God is in absolute control.  He knows our situation, sees our pain, feels our pain, and has a plan.  His plan is not always what we want to happen, but we can trust that it is good because He cannot deny Himself.  He is a good Father. 

I heard this song on the radio that tough morning and it really encouraged me (and had me crying).  As I read over the words I find myself not just enjoying it, but making it my prayer and declaration.  Perhaps you'll do the same:

Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see

I’ve tried to win this war I confess
My hands are weary I need Your rest
Mighty Warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You’re by my side

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There’s not a day ahead You have not seen
So, in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want Lord and nothing less

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation; the rock on which I stand

Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There’s not a place where I’ll go, You’ve not already stood

When You don’t move the mountains I’m needing You to move
When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through
When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!

I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!
I will trust in You!

["Trust in You" by Lauren Daigle]

Haste makes Waste

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. ~ Proverbs 19:2


We live in a fast-paced world. Would you agree? We’re constantly making quick decisions, hoping that we’ve acted correctly. Too often we look at the world, look at our options, and make what the world might consider “good” choices. We choose the most logical path, the one that appears to bring us what we desire most – whatever that may be.

When we make these decisions out of our knowledge, however, we can “miss the way.” I’ve mentioned before that as Christians we are not called to the ways of this world. God has so much more in store for us. When we become rash, hasty, and impatient, we are more prone to make decisions before seeking counsel and can trap ourselves in those decisions.

It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows. ~ Proverbs 20:25

Impatience is something that I struggle with daily. I hear of a wonderful opportunity to do something and I immediately jump in to help out. I’m not just speaking of things that are “wrong” or of doing things you feel convicted about; I’m speaking also of things that we would consider “good.”

Let me get specific. I graduated from college this past Spring and, according to the world, it’s time for me to get a job. In my mind it didn’t matter that I was going to be starting graduate school in the Fall. If I was out of college, I needed to start making money to support myself. I would certainly not say this is a “wrong” thought or action. In my case, however, as I prayed and sought God’s wisdom, as I spoke with mentors, friends, and family, I felt God leading me to not get a job. It’s been a struggle for me because I feel like I’m going against what the world says I should be doing. I know, however, that I’m following God’s Will for my life and because I have followed this even when it wasn’t comfortable, He has made so many opportunities for me to help out at my church, mend relationships, and just love on people. Now, if I had made a hasty decision based on my own knowledge of what I thought I was to be doing, I would have missed out on all that He had for me!

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. ~ Proverbs 15:22

The next time you need to make a decision, whether it’s something big like where to work or live or it’s small like whether or not to go see a movie with friends, seek counsel. Don’t jump into something only to discover later what you have promised to do. Some decisions will be very easy, God’s Word is very plain about certain choices and, if you are spending time in the Scriptures, you will know what choice you should make pretty quick. Other decisions will be a little harder. Take the time you need to pray, read the Word, talk to a godly counsel in your life, and wait for the Lord. He will guide you if you are taking the time to seek His Wisdom. When you seek Him you will find Him. He will not allow you to step into somewhere you do not belong if you are asking, seeking, and listening for His response.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. ~ Psalm 27:14

The Long Road

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went out of Egypt armed for battle. ~ Exodus 13:17-18


At a service the other night a guest speaker got up and talked about how everything we do comes by a process. He said if something comes to you at the snap of a finger it will go the same way. There is a due season and appointed time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3). I was reminded of this as I read Exodus 13 today.

Have you ever had one of those experiences where you’re reading a familiar passage and suddenly you see something in it that you never noticed before? Well, I had one of those moments with verse 17. You see, there was a shorter way for the Israelites escape and flee from the Egyptians who were pursuing them, but God knew them so well that He didn’t lead them that way. It wasn’t because He wanted to make it more difficult for them or make them walk farther, but because He loved them and didn’t want to see them give up. He knew that if they took the shorter route they would come against enemies that they were not yet ready to face. Later on we see the Israelites fight the Philistines on several occasions, but at this point God knew they would turn back in fear. He needed to show them He was capable of protecting them and fighting for them before they would be prepared to face those enemies.

There are things in our lives where it seems like God is taking us the long way around. It seems like He’s trying to deprive us of something that we desire or that we feel would be good for us. Perhaps that’s a job, a relationship, a house, finances, etc. Whatever it is you feel like God is deliberately keeping them from you. Honestly, you may be right. In the case of the Israelites, He deliberately led them a longer way, which could be interpreted as depriving them of freedom for that much longer, so that He could prove Himself faithful to them. God is not trying to make life hard for you. He’s not trying to keep good things out of your reach. He knows the battles you will face when you get what it is you want and He wants to prepare you for them before you have to face them.

Instead of taking them the shorter route, it says that God took them down the desert road toward the Red Sea. Once at the Red Sea they were put into a position that would have seemed impossible. We also see that God was right about the reaction of His people to battle. As the Egyptians closed in, the people started crying out in fear:

“Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” ~ Exodus 14:12

At this point, however, turning back was not an option. Pharaoh was coming against with 600 chariots (14:7) and he was not happy! But on the other side they had come up against the Red Sea. This route put them in a position where they had to rely on God to see them through and He proved Himself faithful!

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. ~ Exodus 14:21-22

Not only did the people make it safely across the Red Sea knowing their God provided a way, but the army that was chasing them He threw into confusion and let the waters of the sea flow back over them so they were no more.

You have been taken down this long road so the He can prove to you that He is faithful. He wants to show you that He is your Lord, that He loves you, and that He will fight for you. Not only that, but He wants to take those things that are chasing you (anxiety, fear, insecurity, etc.) and let the sea flow over them so they chase you no longer. It’s a process.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

Isaiah 32

Before my devotions this morning I was reflecting on my pastor's series on relationships. I was asking God to bring me wisdom in relationships. Asking that I wouldn't be confused. That I wouldn't have to question whether I was truly obeying Him or my own desires. He led me to Isaiah 32. It was so amazing that I wanted to share the passage with you and some of the thoughts He brought to mind as I read along:

1 See, a king will reign in righteousness

and rulers will rule with justice.
2 Each man will be like a shelter from the wind

and a refuge from the storm,

like streams of water in the desert

and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.

God showed me there were two ways I could look at this. 1. Each and every man can offer this comfort and shelter. We can be what people need. 2. Every man will seem like a good one. They will seem to offer comfort and shelter. They will be a refuge. Continue reading to see about these men . . .

3 Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,
and the ears of those who hear will listen.
4 The mind of the rash will know and understand,
and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.
5 No longer will the fool be called noble
nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
6 For the fool speaks folly,
his mind is busy with evil:
He practices ungodliness
and spreads error concerning the LORD;
the hungry he leaves empty
and from the thirsty he withholds water.
7 The scoundrel's methods are wicked,
he makes up evil schemes
to destroy the poor with lies,
even when the plea of the needy is just.
8 But the noble man makes noble plans,
and by noble deeds he stands.

Your eyes wil be closed no longer. You will be able to tell the scoundrel from the noble man. You will not get caught up with someone who will leave you hungry and thirsty because he is not the one for you!

9 You women who are so complacent,
rise up and listen to me;
you daughters who feel secure,
hear what I have to say!
10 In little more than a year
you who feel secure will tremble;
the grape harvest will fail,
and the harvest of fruit will not come.

Those who feel secure in relationships with scoundrels will "in little more than a year" tremble because the pleasant fields will fail. The happiness they have will begin to fade away as they start to recognize the scoundrel for who he is.

11 Tremble, you complacent women;
shudder, you daughters who feel secure!
Strip off your clothes,
put sackcloth around your waists.
12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields,
for the fruitful vines
13 and for the land of my people,
a land overgrown with thorns and briers—
yes, mourn for all houses of merriment
and for this city of revelry.
14 The fortress will be abandoned,
the noisy city deserted;
citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever,
the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks,

The house will be empty. The joy in that time will have past. But God's framework for relationships is FOREVER! Your joy is not intended to leave in this relationship . . .

15 till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,
and the desert becomes a fertile field,
and the fertile field seems like a forest.
16 Justice will dwell in the desert
and righteousness live in the fertile field.
17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

Wait for the Spirit to be poured out. It will bring a fertile field and will grant you quietness and confidence. When you wait for the Spirit and don't go off to find that "someone" on your own, you will be filled with quietness and confidence that will last FOREVER!

18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places,
in secure homes,
in undisturbed places of rest.
19 Though hail flattens the forest
and the city is leveled completely,
20 how blessed you will be,
sowing your seed by every stream,
and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.

At this point I thought of marriage. This whole passage seems to move through a relationship and at this point it speaks of strong relationship. As storms and trials come against those around you who entered into relationship without waiting for the Spirit, you will be secure! Your house will be an "undisturbed place of rest!" Not only will you be at peace, but you will be able to "sow your seed by every stream!

Wait for the Lord and you will not fail!

Waiting not Waning

“You acted foolishly,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.” ~ 1 Samuel 13:13


Have you ever been in a situation where you had to wait? How about a situation where you had to wait for someone else to do something that you felt you could do on your own faster and overall better? I get this feeling sometimes at the grocery store. Those times where I’ve finished paying and now I’m waiting for the bagger to put everything in. I watch as the toilet paper gets put with the ice cream and the eggs are set in the bottom of the bag while vegetables are piled in on top of them. In those times I really want to lean over and say, “I’ve got this. Don’t worry yourself with it.” I’m thinking, “I could have this done already and everything grouped so nicely according to where they go in my house. Would it be rude to ask them to step out of the way?”

In essence, Saul tells the bagger to move over in 1 Samuel 13. Just a couple chapters over in 1 Samuel 10 Saul is anointed as king over all of Israel. Listen to Samuel’s command to Saul:

“Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. I will surely come down to you to sacrifice burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, but you must wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what you are to do.” ~ 1 Samuel 10:8

Pretty clear instructions, right? Just wait seven days. This isn’t rocket science. But what does Saul do? We hear in 1 Samuel 13:3-5 that Jonathan attacks a Philistine outpost making Israel “a stench to the Philistines.” At this point the troops are rallied with Saul at Gilgal. When everyone gets there, the Israelites watch as this massive Philistine army comes in. They come rolling in with thousands of chariots and charioteers. Can you imagine what that must have looked like! It says the Israelite men “saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed.” They immediately begin hiding anywhere they can find a crevice where they fit!

Up until this point Saul has waited; he has obeyed. But listen:

He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. ~ 1 Samuel 13:8-9

He acted! He was told to wait until Samuel told him what to do, but when he started seeing his troops scatter, he lost faith. He looked at this huge Philistine army, saw his warriors literally shaking in their armor, and said, “It’s ok, God. I’ll take this one.” He started to believe that he knew better than God. Everything and everyone around him said Samuel was not going to get there on time and, as leader, he needed to step up and take over. That’s what his sight told him. But remember, “We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) When things start looking impossible, that’s when God shows up in amazing ways! But Saul misses the opportunity.

Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. ~ 1 Samuel 13:10

Samuel was on the way! He didn’t forget about Saul, he didn’t just leave Saul hanging. He was on the way! In fact, he was close enough that “just as he finished” Samuel was there. If he had held on just a little bit longer, imagine what God could have done! Instead, Saul goes out to meet Samuel, feeling pretty proud of himself for stepping up to the plate and acting as leader, just to hear Samuel . . .

“What have you done?” asked Samuel. . . . “You acted foolishly,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” ~1 Samuel 13:11a, 13-14

First of all, keep in mind that only seven days have passed since Saul was appointed king. His first big command and he takes matters into his own hands. Because of trying to do it on his own, his kingdom will not endure. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have felt like. Think about it. You’ve been king for a week. You’re faced with pretty imminent war, your troops are scared to death, the man that was going to ask for God’s favor hasn’t come so you step up, as you feel any king would, and offer the sacrifice yourself. As soon as you finish this man of God appears and says because of what you’ve done, your kingdom is over. What if he had waited a couple of hours, one hour, ten minutes! His life would have been drastically different!

There are so many things in our lives where God tells us to wait. I so often find myself waiting for a while and then as I start getting down to the end of my seventh day, when the sun is beginning to set, and I lose faith. I try to step in and take over. In almost every situation it doesn’t work out. Something better makes itself known that if I had waited just a little longer, things would have turned out wonderfully. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying waiting is easy. In fact, Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord!” In order to wait you have to be strong, you need to have faith. Take heart! The waiting is difficult, but it is totally worth it! When you wait for the Lord’s timing in your life He will establish your kingdom forever!

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry! ~ Psalm 40:1