calm

I was watching the weather the other day. They were showing what was happening across the entire United States. There was one storm system on the East Coast that would be exiting during the day. I thought to myself, I wonder where storms go to die?

I mean, what happens to them after they leave America? Do they stay together and go to Iceland? Europe? Perhaps somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, they simply dissipate. I really do not know and have never enquired. I know things like land mass or warm ocean water can feed a storm.

What about the storms that come up in your life? Are there conditions that feed them? I mean, do certain things cause these storms to take place? Last year, and I will admit for selfish reasons, April and I made a decision and acted upon it. That single decision brewed a storm that we are okay from now but still paying for.

Once we realized what we had done, we humbled ourselves, repented, and cried out to God for help. His love and grace are indeed amazing. It’s as if He stood up and said, “Peace be still,” and showed us a path to exit from underneath the dark clouds, and the storm went off to die.

What are you facing in your life? Is it one of the scariest storms you have ever encountered? I live in Tornado Alley. Sometimes, we get storms that set off the sirens telling us to take cover. The part of those storms that makes the hair on the back of my head stand up is the sound of the wind. After the average storm passes, I check to see if there is any damage. I might find a limb and some leaves or trash, but no real damage.

What I am saying is there may be a lot of wind blowing in your life. Cry out to God to calm the storm. To keep you safe and to minimize any damage. Then trust Him. God is faithful, and He is good all the time. I have learned it doesn’t really matter where storms go to die. It’s reassuring to know they do!

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Ps. 107:29 (NIV)

¹⁷The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
¹⁹The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all; Ps. 34:17-19 (NIV)

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Cor. 4:8-9 (NIV)

God is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help, no matter how desperate the trouble. Nahum 1:7 (MSG)

One doesn’t have to look around very far, or watch the news very long to see there is a lack of peace in our world. And social media, these days, should come with a pain scale.

When I try to watch the news I find myself yelling at the so called “leaders” of our country. You know, just because they control the media doesn’t mean they are speaking truth. I don’t like how I feel when that happens, or when I witness unrest.

I don’t think I am alone when I say, what I desire most, right now, is peace. Last year, 2020, kept us on edge. “What’s going to happen?” “What do I need to do?” “How can I stay safe?” “Where can I find toilet paper?” “How do I keep those I love healthy?”

When Jesus found himself in a storm, he simply said, “Peace be still.” Is that all it takes? Well, sort of. It’s a start. It’s declaring, I’m not going to get caught up in all of the unrest. I don’t have to state my position or opinions on social media. I can turn on the TV in time to get my weather update and then turn it off again, and make an effort to stay away from world news.

Jesus offered us peace by trusting in him.

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!” John 14:27 (TPT)

Instead, I can commit to fill my mind, my time, my world with things I enjoy. With things that build up, instead of teardown. With activities, words, relationships that inspire, or bring peace. It’s my world after all. I do have a say so, and so do you. Take control of your own life, when and where you can. You will find more peace that way, and feel better too.

Peace out!

brady, mark a.

Words to inspire you

Where Storms Go to Die

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Ps. 107:29 (NIV)

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Cor. 4:8-9 (NIV)

God is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help, no matter how desperate the trouble. Nahum 1:7 (MSG)

Peace of Mind

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!” John 14:27 (TPT)

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Ps. 107:29 (NIV)

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; Ps. 34:17-19 (NIV)

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Cor. 4:8-9 (NIV)

God is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help, no matter how desperate the trouble. Nahum 1:7 (MSG)

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!” John 14:27 (TPT)

¹⁷The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
¹⁹The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all; Ps. 34:17-19 (NIV)