Sometimes it just happens. I am in the middle of an absolutely beautiful, enjoying the ride, loving the view, kind of day, and the storm clouds crash in with rains that beat against by spirit. My anxiety tries to crescendo and my soul presses against the reigns of my spirit in an attempt to gallop off in panicked flight.
In those times, my reactions determine many things in a moment. War or peace scramble to invade my inner atmosphere. Today, it’s not even six in the morning and I’ve already cycled through this familiar scenario- three times! Peace is so much better than war.
I didn’t even make coffee yet.
What I’ve also noticed is that something beautiful is simultaneously going on when the thought storms hit. In the rains assailing my soul, there is peace for the having. This peace comes in a song, a scripture, a memory of a person or a time when Father’s grace became clearer for a moment. It is gossamer grace, fragile as a butterfly but sturdy as iron. The smallest whisper sent to brace my soul with His presence and truth if I would give it an opportunity to land on my heart.
The psalmist wrote simply of this process. Grasping the grace of presence and promise, David wrote:
“Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth, I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
For you, God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.”
Psalm 61.1-5 NIV
This may be one of those days when my circuits scream that I am overloaded, and things come at me with major storm intensity. While my inner man longs and trusts for the sun to shine on my face once again, I will take the thought storms on, one by one, keep them from bunching together, and look for the path where grace flitters and gently leads me to the rock that is higher than I. There the light of His promised love shines brightly no matter what arises, and I find a strength strong enough for today and beyond.
[If you want to learn more of how to grasp the grace of God in the middle of your storms, there are people at LFA who would be happy to share what we’ve learned along the way - just drop an email to let me know you would like to learn more about holding on to the grace that leads us to the rock!]
—George Davis
*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.