By Melissa McLaughlin
My gut wrenched. Tears spilled from my eyes. I was overcome as I scanned pictures of the recent hurricane damage in the southeast U.S. Piles of rubble and jagged tree roots now dotted the landscape where homes once stood. Roads had collapsed as the earth gave way underneath. The devastation looked surreal.
Further, the material wreckage provided but a glimpse into the human loss and emotional injuries. Many lost family members, lost jobs, have no communication, and still do not know if their remaining loved ones are alive.
Gratefully, disaster relief organizations moved in to begin the rescue and restoration process. Neighbors helping neighbors is a balm for the weary soul.
Unfortunately, with another menacing storm on the horizon, people in Florida are now preparing for the worst.
Where do we turn when the storms of life crush us?
Maybe your family was torn apart by the last hurricane. Or perhaps you are in the line of fire for the next one. Maybe you are worn down by an ongoing illness, debilitating stress at work, or piercing grief from a broken relationship or lost loved one.
No matter the storms we face, Jesus is our best hope.
What does Jesus say about tragedy and difficulties?
In John 16:33, Jesus reminds us to expect tribulation, and He offers Himself as our remedy. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 ESV).
Certainly, Jesus is our refuge and strength. Yet, how do we cling to Him when life’s winds howl?
Here are 3 ways to hold on to Jesus in the storm.
Remember:
1.Jesus is our suffering Savior.
Look to the cross. See His blood, sweat, and tears coursing down. Jesus endured agonizing pain, betrayal, and shame on the cross to atone for our sins and offer us eternal life. The transient joys of this fallen world cannot touch the gift of salvation in Christ. In addition, unspeakable glory awaits. Reframing our mindset with Scripture truth tempers the ache we carry in this earthly realm.
2.Those who are found in Christ will never be separated from Him.
We may lose our home, our health, our family, our community. And one day, our earthly lives will end. But nothing can take God’s love from us. Nothing can remove us from our place in God’s kingdom. Jesus’ divine blood purchased those gifts for us for all eternity.
Whether we struggle with the ravages of life or approach our final breath, Jesus will meet us there. Lean into Jesus and let Him carry you.
3.The God who made you is bringing you home.
This world is not our home. Though God provides countless blessings throughout our lives, the greatest blessing is Himself.
For many years, I could not understand this verse:
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Psalm 116:15 ESV).
However, after maturing in the faith and studying Scripture, I now grasp the beauty of Psalm 116:15. The God who made you, who provides for you each day, and who died to save you, is welcoming you home.
Home is heaven. Where there is no more death, or sorrow, or sickness, or tears. Heaven is the place where we will be free from sin, both within and without. Where we will dwell in God’s Presence, surrounded by His love, holiness, goodness, and beauty. Forever.
That is a precious thought.
Eyes on Eternity
As we reset our minds on eternity, we can face today’s tumult with greater peace and strength.
Donations and Prayers
Please join me in praying for and helping those who are suffering. One organization my husband and I support is Samaritan’s Purse. They provide supplies and assistance to rebuild and even use everyday volunteers. There are many other trusted disaster relief organizations. I hope you can find one to support.
If you cannot donate or volunteer, please remember prayers are a great gift. Our prayers can do even more than our wallets or hands. The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.
Please join me now in prayer.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your steadfast love. Jesus, thank you for laying down your life to save us and bring us into the family of God. We praise you for we are safe in your arms forever.
Holy Spirit, bring comfort and peace to all who are hurting, grieving, recovering, or preparing for a storm. We pray for resources and help to be provided. Encourage and uplift each downtrodden heart. Please protect each one and hold them close. Help all of us hold on to Jesus when the storm waves rise and rest in your unending mercy and love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV
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This is a really well thought out blog.. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind words, Bruce. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. God bless you and keep you!
These surely are perilous times. My heart goes out to all those impacted by these hurricanes. The loss is more than we can comprehend. Devastating!
We must help in any way we can: pray; donate to organizations that are assisting in the recovery; help if we are able.
As we struggle to understand, the answer is always Jesus and His unlimited love for His children. He knows about EVERY heartache. He alone can comfort and heal broken hearts. He will never leave His children forsaken.
The loss and devastation is real. There is no One who cares like Jesus.
“Have I not commanded you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1: 8
Thank you, Mary Anne, for these beautiful words of comfort and honest grief. These are perilous times and like you, my heart aches for all the devastation many people are facing. May we not grow weary in praying, helping, and lifting up those who are suffering. Jesus sees and cares. Jesus is always reaching for us. Until we take our final breath. I pray that all who are downtrodden will sense His love and peace surrounding them. God bless you!
Amen. I am joining you in prayer. God hears our cries. Praying for all affeced by these horrific storms. God is always with us. Fear will not win. God will guide us through the storms of life. Have a blessed week dear friend!
Thank you, Melissa, for joining me in prayer for all those who are suffering from the last hurricane, preparing for the next one, or battling a different storm in life. “Fear will not win.” Amen to that! God will guide us through these earthly storms until He brings us home. May we hold on tight to Jesus. God bless you, dear friend!
Melissa, it’s sobering when a disaster like this strikes. Our area of East Tennessee had catastrophic flooding. So sad. We continue to pray and help. Love how you said, “This world is not our home. Though God provides countless blessings throughout our lives, the greatest blessing is Himself.” Yes! Hallelujah! God bless!
Dear Karen, I was thinking of you when these storms hit. I watched your Fridays Forever video after the hurricane damage. I was utterly heartbroken to see the level of devastation and loss of life. You all are in my prayers daily! God bless you, dear friend.
Wonderful encouragement as always, Sister.
Love the commentary re: Ps 116
God Bless you always,
Mike C
God bless you, Mike! I appreciate your support and kind words. And thank you for your powerful prayer ministry. May the Lord bless you more and more!
Amen to this. We don’t know why bad things happen, but we do know what we should do when they occur… HELP OTHERS. Love others. Be the hands and feet of Christ in a hurting world.
Such powerful words, Jessica: we don’t know why, but we know what to do… help others! May the love of Jesus shine so brightly through us during this dark and difficult time. God bless you and your family. So thankful you are safe!
So timely and needed encouragement Melissa. It is gut wrenching to see all the damage but God is in the midst of it all. Praying for all those impacted
I am joining you in prayer, Yvonne, for all those who lost everything, including loved ones. Lord, help us be the hands and feet of Christ to all who are hurting.
This was a reminder to me that we must pick up our cross daily if we are disciples of Jesus. The cross is painful and so is life even though we sometimes pretend we can make it our paradise.
Well said. Too often we pretend we can make this life into our paradise. May God renew our spiritual vision.