“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house…” (Matthew 7:25a).

As I write this, it’s Thursday, and Hurricane Laura is bearing down on Texas and Louisiana. The storm surge is possibly “unsurvivable.” This is more than catastrophic; this is in the “we need a miracle” category. Several of our staff have family and/or friends in the “bulls-eye” of this storm. One of my high school friends announced to us that she had gone to Dallas to escape, and I was so thankful. Some of you are still worried about family who are trying to ride out the storm. (Since this writing, the storm is passed, and my friend is safe and her home is standing although she has damage to her home and all her trees and shrubs were destroyed.)

We reflect that sometimes storms and calamities come in threes, but honestly, this year it seems like they are coming in multiples of threes. Some storms affect all of us, like the tornado earlier in the year; the ongoing pandemic and its effect on health, jobs, school, economy, travel, availability of needed items; even the heat wave and humidity that make everything else insufferable if not dangerous. Other storms of life affect us individually such as health, family concerns, housing, car trouble, family members out of work, etc. The list goes on and it can be overwhelming. The least thing can seem to tip us over the edge.  

What do you do when it seems like there is nothing that can be done? Here are some ideas that have helped me in the past (not in any particular order):

1. Remember there is always hope. Dwell on the scripture: “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
2. Be thankful. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).Talk it over with someone that you respect. If you think there is no one to talk to, then remember that as your Chaplain this is what I am here for. I am available and willing to be a listening ear and sounding board. “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (Proverbs 1:5).
3. Talk it over with someone that you respect. If you think there is no one to talk to, then remember that as your Chaplain this is what I am here for. I am available and willing to be a listening ear and sounding board. “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (Proverbs 1:5).
4. Honestly examine your role in your problems. Ask God to convict you. If there is anything that you have done to contribute to them, confess, repent and ask for forgiveness. That means change. Even if your repentance, seeking forgiveness, and change cannot impact the consequences you are now dealing with, it will make you right with God and that is more important than earthly thing. “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:19-20).
5. If your circumstances have been brought about by or worsened by the actions of another, pray for them. “After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:7-10).*
6. Do what you can, with God’s guidance. List the problems you are dealing with. Think through logically what your options are and the priorities. While there may be much that you cannot do, there is likely something that you can do. Maybe it’s a budgeting issue and there is something you can change to free up funds for another more pressing need. Maybe you can trade or barter for goods or services. Again, having a sounding board might help. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3); “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5).
7. Cry out to Jesus. “Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”  He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”” (Matthew 8:23-27)
8. Meditate on God’s Word. Some scriptures to meditate on are below:

“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path” (Psalm 142:3).

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” (1 Peter 1:13).

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11).

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

*If you want to be truly awe-inspired, read what God told Job, leading up to Job 42:7, starting with Chapter 38, which begins, “Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm.” (Job 38-42).

Remember there is always hope. Our God not only created the winds and waves, he also created the rainbow. Our God is ever-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful, and He loves you.

In Christ,

Judy