MOVING FORWARD IN THE STORM

The transition between winter and spring can be riddled with storms. Nature essentially is waking up from a few months of sleep; trees are resurrecting back to life and gray dark skies are turning blue again. Where I live in the south that means the air is saturated with massive amounts of pollen that often cause eyes to swell shut and nostrils to become completely clogged. All this discomfort is to bring forth the beauty of spring flowers, budding fruits trees and green plants.

 

Last week, our children had Spring Break. We planned to spend a few days at the beach. On the day of our departure a bout of storms passed through our region, including threats of tornadoes. From the radio, we heard the news that the Mayor issued a state of emergency for Alabama. That is where we were headed.

 

The morning of our trip up until 9am, it was still dark. The sky opened and a downpour of rain beat on the windows of our home. We braved the weather, but not before calling our hotel to find out if they were having torrential rains. Surprisingly, they did not, the lady at the front desk reported she only saw predictions of a few scattered showers. “No rain or dark clouds,” she said.

 

So we hit the road, into what seemed like the clouds had enveloped the earth. A monsoon, gray fog, gray skies clouded our visibility. My hubby and everyone else on the highway turned on our hazard lights to see the car ahead of us. Every media platform, from radio to social media reported that the storm would last for two days!

 

“Watch out for an extra pocket of dark clouds, it could be a tornado!” one radio host exclaimed. Beeping warning notifications begin to blare from our mobile devices. Indeed, the storm was ragging.

 

As we continued from one highway to the next, the monsoon and grayness seemed to go on for infinity. Although that was my reality, I knew deep down that we were headed to blue skies. The sun would come out again. That is where I kept my expectations; I even took a nap and dreamed about the sunshine and the sea.

 

After a few hours of driving in the storm, suddenly it stopped. I looked up in the sky and saw white clouds and blue skies. Here is the picture.

 

Right then a thought hits me. No matter how the storm rages in our lives, if you just keep moving forward, even with poor visibility, you will realize that the storm is now in the rare view mirror of your life. If you have a metaphoric “beach destination” in mind, don’t park in the storm. Keep heading in the direction of your vision. Why remain in the storm with everybody else, when just up ahead there will be palm trees gently swaying in the wind, calming waves are rolling in on the shores and birds are flying freely?

 

But what if you can’t change location? Then mentally remove yourself from the storm by focusing on the amazing possibilities that lies ahead of you. There is life, beauty, peace and an opportunity to walk on the shores of promise and get your toes wet, after the storm.

 

 

UMMM

And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea,[a tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous,[b] he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.

 

ACTION CHALLENGE

Your mind can see. Most of us including me, too often get stuck focusing all our attention on the storm like Peter did. Instead, train your mind to take daily visits to your intended destination. Don’t forget to take action to move forward. One day you will wake up and find yourself living your dream. Tweet and share this statement. “Step by step, bit by bit, I will move things forward.”

PRAYER

Lord, storms are destructive.  They often times bring about a level of fear and panic.  Many times we do not know how to maneuver the elements.  For the storms I face today, give me the courage to not let it paralyze my momentum.  Through the winds and waves keep me moving forward in faith and trust that the God of the Storm is with me.  I call forth His all consuming peace in the midst of this storm. In Jesus name, Amen.

If you need help to practice using your mind to see, visit my Resource Page for this devotional and get started today.

If you are going through a storm and would like me to pray for you, send me an email on my Contacts Page and I will add you to my prayer list.

Until next time, your greatness is waiting to be unleashed.  I call it forth!