November 8
Storms of the Heart
"For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; their soul melted away in their misery, they reeled and staggered like a drunken man, and were at their wits end. Then they cried to the Lord in all their trouble and He brought them out of their distress. For He caused the storm to be still…"
It’s comforting to the soul to see God as the One Who calms the storm and speaks to it; "peace be still". These are soothing words to the heart that is sailing through troubled waters or battling the storms of life. But what about the words, "He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea". These are words that our ears do not turn to listen to and our heart does not readily take in. It’s easy to accept that God is love, and He cares for us but it’s difficult to understand that He is also the One Who wounds and rejects. God’s truth is easy at times and difficult at others. My greatest struggles have not come from my wrestling with my flesh, or even with the devil himself but, they have been with God and His will or His way. These are the storms of the heart beloved; those that rob us of peace and joy because they cause us to question the Lord. These storms are fierce because our will clashes with the will of the Almighty, bringing waves of doubt and confusion. But what are we to do?
The Psalmist gives us the answer; "Then they cried to the Lord in all their trouble and He brought them out of their distress. For He caused the storm to be still." The storms of the heart are fought in the cry of the heart itself. God is listening for the cry that says; "I need you, not to calm the storm, or to give self what it wants; not to change circumstances; but simply, I need you and you alone". This is when God stills the raging storm. We are not told He takes us out of the storm, but rather, He causes the raging to be still. The storms of the heart assail our faith and overcome our trust in the Lord. And when we are at "our wits end", we have two choices, run or cry out. God waits and anticipates for the cry of His child. In fact, it’s what He longs for so He can answer. Only God can speak to the storms of our life and calm them; no one else can. This is how God intends for it to be. It’s through the storms of life that God teaches us to turn to Him, to depend solely upon Him alone.
Who do you cry out to when you are at your wits end? To whom do you run, precious one, when you are about to sink? Where do you turn for solace, for reassurance in the most trying of times? I exhort you from the shorelines of God’s word; anchor in to Him and cry out amidst your storm. He will hear you and He will speak the words your heart is longing to hear; "be still." There is no storm that can overtake you when you cry out to God. Don’t let the storms be your focus but, fix your eyes upon the Heaven; this is where your help cometh from. The storms of the heart only God can carry.
I cry amidst the storm to the One who can calm my raging soul.
Pearls of Grace is a book of devotions for the entire year, including a read through the Bible in a year calendar, broken down for every day. Beautifully written with encouraging words of hope and empowering words of joy and strength for every woman. Pam draws from the truth and richness of God's Word and gives real life examples in her down to earth style. A must have in your library, click here for more information.
For more from Pam Jenkins and Jabbok Ministries, please visit www.jabbokministries.com!
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