Shelter from the Storm

For You have been a Stronghold…and a Shelter from the storm.

When you pass through the waters (of difficulty) I will be with you.

“Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

ISAIAH 25:4A ISAIAH 43:2A AMPC Isaiah 40:31

I wish it wasn’t so. But it’s true. Storms of life are inevitable. While the depth and breadth and severity may differ from one person to another, we can all count on them showing up at our door. That’s just real life, isn’t it? Beloved, I promise not to slap a plastic “Praise the Lord” bumper sticker phrase across the pain of your heart, even as I gently prod you to step back, exhale a moment and seek to discover His hand, His very presence with you in your storm.

I have found that though God has seldom prevented storms from whipping up all around me, sometimes with waves crashing so hard that I literally gasp for breath, He has never failed to shelter me with the umbrella of His Presence. With the umbrella of His Peace. With the umbrella of His Comfort. And with the strong umbrella of His sovereign control over all that grazes my life, while promising my good and His glory as the ultimate outcome. He promises the same shelter for you.

Whatever our storm – Divorce or Death. Addiction or Abuse. Discouragement or Disease. Hopelessness or Hostility. Our God is mighty and able to shelter us while these storms pass by. [Psalm 57:1 AMP]. Oh, dear one, will you take His hand as He not only shelters from the storm, but walks you through it?

Father,
Sometimes the wind and waves of this storm cause me to feel overwhelmed, and I hate to admit it, angry at You. Forgive me. I release myself and my difficulties into Your hands. Please envelop me in Your peace and renewed hope. Grant me Your perspective in this storm. I choose to trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lean hard on Me my child and I will be your peace. Storms shall not disquiet the trusting heart.

FRANCIS J. ROBERTS

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

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Shelter from the Storm is a devo pulled from my 2016 book of the same title. Being birthed through my own season of brokenness and difficulties as I cried out to God for relief, “I can’t take this anymore!” It was a time of desperation as I endured the death of two of my children, faced personal betrayal, coped with rebellious teenagers, acknowledged my own addictions as well as those of others, dealt with childhood trauma, and endured domestic violence, financial reversal, and the often daunting challenges everyday life.

Oh how I wish we could sit together at my kitchen table and talk. I’d offer you a cup of coffee, listen to your story and tell you how sorry I am for your pain. Offering you a tissue as I assure you it’s okay to cry. Though careful not to offer plastic truth, I would surely read you a Psalm or two – the very place where I have found such authentic comfort myself.

Opening my journal and putting pen to paper, I wrote what can be best described as modern-day psalms of lament, but always coming back to the great faithfulness of our God, acknowledging the reality of the pain of the moment and the greater reality of His presence and ability to sustain and strengthen. Through it all, I found, by experience that He is indeed a shelter from the storm. Though He didn’t always stop the rain from falling He was utterly faithful to be my shelter in the midst of my storms.

Be assured, the devotions were not written while reclining on a sundrenched beach or sitting on a country hillside but in the crisis of the moment. Often they were written through tears. Since these devotions are a result of struggling through storms, I hope you will feel that they were written by someone who understands your pain. But even more importantly, I hope they help you know that God understands.

Come, take my hand, and join me under the shelter of the Most High. As we do, I encourage you to jot down any thoughts on your heart, even if those thoughts are your own version of “I can’t take this anymore!” May He encourage you through its pages.

Allow me the honor of taking your hand and talking to the Father with you…

My Lord, Please encourage my friend today. Your Word declares that You are the God of all comfort… please comfort them, Lord! Envelop them in Your Peace that passes all understanding. Grant them strength for the journey. Show them Your great faithfulness and enlarge their capacity to trust You in the midst of all they face. Show Yourself strong on their behalf, Father. Replace fear and hopelessness with Your peace and the assurance that no matter what things look like…You are mighty and able to bring good from this situation. Thank You, Father. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

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