But those who entwine their hearts with Yahweh will experience divine strength. They will rise up on soaring wings and fly like eagles, run their races without growing weary, and walk through life without giving up. (Isaiah 40:31 TPT)
As I write this I am sitting next to an east-facing window, as our house doesn’t have any south-facing windows and the sun is out today. My son came in and laughed because the cat and I were both perched in the sunshine. I will sit here reading and writing until the sun gets too high to come in this window, then – later – I will move to a west-facing window to again bask in the rare but important sunshine. April in this area is a roller coaster of weather. We can have blizzards, thunderstorms, tornadoes, heavy rain, and beautiful sunshine — sometimes all in the course of one week! At this season of my life I need the brightness, beauty, and hope of the sunshine, so today I am basking in it.
For me emotionally, this past week had as much volatility as the weather can have. Monday – ok, Tuesday – good, Wednesday – bad, Thursday – good, Friday – bad. I have felt repeatedly like I was living in an internal storm and I couldn’t figure out what caused it or how to get out of it. I couldn’t even explain it. Since, I’m not a fan of natural or spiritual storms, this was a rough week for me.
I know that living out of our emotions can cause a lot of trouble, so I’m trying to lean into the support, hope, and encouragement of godly friends and the truth of God’s word. If you or someone you know is struggling with some sort of “storm” in life, I pray these verses will be light and life in those situations.
You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them. (Psalm 89:9 NIV)
The Lord is my refuge; the Most High is my dwelling. No harm will overtake me, NO terror, arrow, pestilence, or plague will come near me because He will satisfy me with long life and salvation. (Psalm 91:5-7, 9-10, 16)
May God himself, the heavenly Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, release grace over you and impart total well-being into your lives. (Ephesians 1:2 TPT)
I am not a slave to fear because I am Abba’s child. (Romans 8:15)
“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]. (Isaiah 26:3 AMP)
I will not take the enemy’s thoughts for my life, but will stay in the Holy Spirit’s flow of righteousness, peace, and joy. (2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 14:17)
My God of Hope will fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in him. I will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
God,
You are trustworthy, my refuge and my dwelling. When the storms of life are raging and the world tosses me like a ship upon the sea, You who rule the wind and water, stand by me. In the midst of tribulation, when the forces of hell rise against me and my strength begins to fail, You who have never lost a battle, stand by me. And in times of persecution, when enemies oppose me and try to block my path, You who rescued Paul and Silas, stand by me. Entwine my heart with yours so I receive your divine encouragement, love, and hope. Release your grace, mercy, and peace over my life. Help me to remember the truths of your Word and speak them over myself when the struggles come. I ask in the name of Jesus for you to protect me from any and every storm in my life, keeping me in a harbor of safety in your arms. AMEN.
* Adapted from “Stand by Me” by Charles Albert Tindley (1905)