What to do in a storm?

Have you ever been in the middle of a storm? Maybe a dust storm (coming from the desert that was my first thought) or maybe a thunderstorm or perhaps a spiritual/mental storm?  Whatever kind of storm it was, I bet when you were in the midst of it you were overwhelmed.
A few weekends ago I had some friends over and out of nowhere this huge thunder and rain storm hit. It was pouring rain and thundering like nothing I've ever seen or heard before. I was in awe and a bit nervous. I mean, really... the trees were swaying and the wind was howling, it was intense. But never once during that storm was I scared for my life or overwhelmed so much that I found it impossible to go about my business. Why? Because I was inside a house that is well built and meant to protect me. I knew that I was safe.

So why then in our daily lives do we say "the peace before the storm" or "the peace after the storm"? What about "the peace in the midst of the storm"? Or does that not exist? I mean it has to, right?  Does peace only exist when there is no trouble or struggle? Does peace only exist when things are going great?  Are we not told that God's peace is a forever peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding, a peace "in the midst of the storm"?

Isaiah 25:4 says this about God, "You have been a refuge for the poor,  a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat"  If this is true then God, our God, will constantly shelter us from the storm.  Now you may say or think "Well that's great and all Isha, but how come He never seems to be there when I'm going through crap?"  My response to that is this: Let's say a huge thunderstorm hits while I'm driving around. I find a shelter and park in the parking lot, but decide to not get out of my car and go inside because my car is comfortable and I know my car. I know everything about my car and I get to have it all to myself, where as the shelter is unknown and it means giving up my comfort and my space.  Would you not think I was crazy?  Who would stay inside their car rather than go into the shelter?  God is a shelter and is always there for you in the midst of the storm, but you have to chose to make him that shelter in your life. Sometimes in life, we decide to not run to God in hard times because it means giving up our comfort and our space.

Isaiah 26: 3-4 says this: "³ You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. ⁴ Trust in the LORD forever,  for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal"

LOVE IT!! I love that scripture because it so clearly states that God will keep us in PERFECT peace when our minds are steadfast and when we trust in Him!   In church and when speaking with other believers we always here the word "steadfast" and if you're like me you may think "what the heck does steadfast even mean? It sounds like a diet shake of some kind. Well here's the definition: : firm in belief, determination, or adherence : loyal.  So what Isaiah is saying is this, If you keep your mind determined and firm in your belief of Christ Jesus as well as remaining LOYAL, God will give you perfect peace.  

I'm going to end with this small imagery. Today while driving back from dropping Shannon off at daycare it started pouring rain but right as I drove over the last hill before arriving home the sun came through the clouds as if to say "I'm still here".  I pray that as you go through storms in life you are aware of the moments when the Son comes out to say "I'm still here with you" and gives you peace in the midst of the storm.

Blessings