Choosing God Through A Storm

As I was driving to work this morning, listening to a playlist on my phone, Just Be Held came on. I was immediately overwhelmed with emotions, and tears flooded my eyes as I heard each word. It's been one of those weeks where the world around me seems to only be falling apart, but through this song I could feel God was there, holding me, while giving me some truths to hold onto.

"Hold it all together, everybody needs you strong, but life hits you out of no where and barely leaves you holding on"

Life does hit us out of nowhere. It knocks us down, floods our lives, and drowns us in emotions, but who actually said we have to have it all together during these times? We don't. We don't have to put on a face, or pretend like we've got it all together because sometimes we don't. The people around us shouldn't expect us to be strong, always, and we shouldn't shame ourselves for feeling like we can't be strong either. We need to remember that we are not alone in our times of suffering.

"There's freedom in surrender, lay it down and let it go"

Something I really struggle with is giving up my control in a situation. It's funny because I know I can't control the outcome, but I still try to anyway. It's amazing what surrendering all control to God can really do. Laying it down, and then, letting it go, is so freeing. It's freeing knowing we have a God who is already in control so we don't have to be.

"Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place"

Believe it or not, suffering is what shapes us too. I tend to think that only things worth celebrating are things that shape who I am, but today I was reminded that suffering does just as much. When we suffer we are learning and strengthening ourselves, but we have to remember that suffering doesn't mean our world is falling apart, it means it's shaping us and falling right into place. Sometimes we have to feel the bad in order to find the good and experience the outcome.

"If your eyes are on the storm, you'll wonder if I love you still, but if your eyes are on the cross you'll know I always have and I always will"

In tough situations, I'm always looking directly at the toughness. It's hard not to. It's like a caution sign off the side of the road. The lights are bright and blinking we a warning for what's ahead. It wants you to be cautious, it wants you to be aware. Now, while this may be true for situations on a highway, it's not for situations in life. We don't need to focus on the suffering, we need to focus on God. Focusing on the suffering means tip-toeing through obstacles, avoiding things, but falling anyway. But focusing on God is focusing on realizing that God's already on the other side. He's there ready to catch you. He's loving you through the storm, that way you don't to experience falling alone. He's a reminder of the light that's on the other side.

"And not a tear is wasted, in time you'll understand. I'm painting beauty with the ashes, and your life is in my hands"

Like I said, tears flooded my eyes this morning. And sometimes I think it's pointless to cry. It's pointless to show weakness or emotion, and to the world it might be, but we have a God that notices. He notices our tears, he counts them, and remembers. And best of all, He understands. He knows what it feels like to suffer. Jesus walked this earth, He encountered pain, and He wept. He's not going to allow our tears, our suffering, or our pain to be for nothing. He uses them to create something beautiful for later on. He has a plan! On the other side of this pain and suffering, there is joy and peace!

"Lift your hands, lift your eyes, in the storm is where you'll find me, and where you are, I'll hold your heart, I'll hold your heart. Come to Me, find your rest in the arms of the God who won't let go"

So wherever you're at, whether it's at the entrance of your storm, in the middle of the torrential down pour, or a few blocks away from a rainbow, lift your eyes to Jesus. He can be found in the storm, ready to guide you through. You may still have to endure the storm, but He will be your umbrella that keeps you dry. He holds our hearts, He gives us rest, and He won't let go. Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest says the Lord (Matthew 11:28)!

"Just be held"

And the most importantly, let go and let God hold you. Let Him embrace you through the storm.

Today, I left my house focused on the storm around me. I had no control over my thoughts, emotions, fears, doubts, or questions. I didn't know what to do or what step to take next, but through the words of this song and through the power of letting go and letting God, I now see such a difference in my perspective of my storm. It doesn't feel impossible anymore. I don't feel alone. And, I know there is good on its way, all because I chose God. I chose to give all control to him. Control over my thoughts, emotions, fears, doubts, and questions. God gave me peace and God reminded me that He is not just on the other side of it all, but is always there during the storm, too.

This is only one of many storms that I will face. Will some be worse than others? Yes. But I know that I don't have to face the next one alone.

I think we all need that little reminder. We need to know that God is also there in the midst of the storm, ready to take on the thunder and the rain WITH us.

I don't know what your storm may be, but I do know that we all have the same God, the One who won't let go!

Come to Him whenever you are weary or burdened! Let Him comfort you! Let Him support you!

I hope that my words can be a little piece of comfort to you today, and remind you that you are not alone in feeling like things are just falling apart, and that you will definitely not go through any of your storm alone.

Dear God,

Today I just pray for our storms. Help us turn and look to you instead of focusing on the situation. And, if we are so lost in the midst of our storms, I pray that you find us! Comfort us and hold us, today. Guide us through our storms. Open up our eyes and our hearts to you Lord, so that we may not go through this trial alone. Take away our doubts and fears and remind us that you will always give us rest. You are the God who won't let go! You never let go of us.

Amen

Have a great rest of your Thursday & I hope you will all choose God through your storm!

MKG

Ps.. Here is a link to Just Be Held by Casting Crowns. I encourage you to listen to this song today, especially if you feel like a storm is on its way.

#ChooseGod #Faith #LinesOfFaith #FillingUpFaithfully