Storms!

When my son was young, he was terrified of storms.  Once the wind began to blow and the first sign of lightening was seen, he would run to me with a terror struck face.  "Mom," he would say, "There is a storm coming."  As the weather outside escalated, so did the fear within my young son.  I would have to comfort him during those times.  He would cling to me until the storm passed. 
One day he asked me why did the storms have to come.  My reply to him was simply: "The storms come so that the earth can be cleansed." 

Just like the weather, storms begin to brew until its power is unleashed.  Our life also produces such storms. Some of life's storms may be gentle ones.  Ones that are easy to walk through, like a gentle rain on a spring day.  Others may be more fierce like a thunder storm on a hot summer day.  While others are more like the tornadoes and hurricanes that come when the warm weather collide with the cool fall days. 

Confusion, anger, depression and a sense of hopelessness can overwhelm us during these troubled times.  We may feel that we are lost and have no clue in what direction we should go in order to find shelter from the storm.  We may feel that all hope is lost and want to simply give up.  When these feelings begin to over take us then hear these words, "Hold on to My strength!" 

My son clung to me during the storms, burying his face so he would not have to see the lightening; covering his ears so he would not hear the thunder, the wind and the rain pounding on all sides of the house.  I would wrap my arms around him and hold him tight until the storm passed.  We may not have our mom's to cling to, but we do have a Father. A heavenly Father. A Father that loves us unconditionally and has promised us that He will be with us always.  He will hold us tight and carry us through the storms we encounter in our lives.  He simply says, "Hold on to My Strength!" 

Exodus 15:11-13
"Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?
Who is like you —
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?
12 You stretched out your right hand
and the earth swallowed them.
13 "In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.