Through the Storm

"God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas, Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult." Psalm 46:1-3

I feel like I have been going through a raging storm. These past few years have been really difficult. I have had bad spells for 6 months to a year, but this has been almost 2 years, a record for even me. My foundation has really been shaken. Sorry to have been gone for so long. I have been physically, mentally, and spiritually down. I am starting to get a little better and am going to try and write again.

What happens when the storms over take you? You begin operating in fear. The scriptures say "fear not," but sometimes that is difficult to hang onto when you are sinking. All you see is the enormity of the circumstances surrounding you, instead of the infinity of God's ability to get you through. Fear causes a paralysis that perpetuates a downward spiral until you either crash or rise above.

Bottom line, fear is being self-center instead of God-centered. I don't mean being vain or selfish. It is when our thoughts are focus on ourselves...on my circumstance, pain, hurts, finances, relationship or anything of this world. In other words, wallowing. Wallowing in stinking thinking filled with resentments, judgments, expectations and opinions. It is "what about me." It is trying to trust in man's ability over God's grace.

Even though we may be praying to God to show us how to overcome fear, if we’re holding onto any kind of negative thinking, we keep ourselves locked in fear. Overcoming fear is an ongoing process. It is daily choosing...God over self...love over fear. We need to develop a new habit of becoming aware of our thoughts and aligning them with God's Word.

Heavenly Father, We worship and praise you and seek your face. Hear our prayer, O Lord, heed our plead for mercy. You are our refuge in times of trouble. You, the God of the universe, hold each of us in Your hand. You know the outcome of what's going on right now. Let us rest in Your power and in Your plan for our lives. Give us the strength to do what we need to do. In time of trouble we call on you, for You will answer us. 
 
You are our healer and deliverer, Lord.  For those who are suffering, help them endure and dissolve the fear; renew within them a calm spirit of trust and peace. Lord, we pray for all who are suffering, just as your Word tells us to pray. We believe you hear this earnest prayer from our heart and that it is powerful because of your promise. We have faith in you, Lord, to heal and deliver, but we also trust in the plan you have for our life. As fellow believers we unite in prayer. Thank you Father. We ask all these things in the name of your son, Jesus the Christ. Amen