Friend to Friend

Movies with happy endings are my favorite movies. My family constantly teases me about my surreal perspective of movie entertainment, but honestly, life holds enough reality. Why would I want to pay good money to see even more reality made bigger and more frightening on a gigantic movie screen?

When the movie, “The Perfect Storm,” was first released, the previews suggested it had a happy ending. I should have known better, but we love the water and really, how bad could it be?

We bought tickets, popcorn, and drinks, found the best seats in the theater, and prepared to be entertained. Wrong! Just about every scene showed tiny boats caught in the grip of frightening waves and fierce winds. I kept waiting for the storm to die down so everyone could go home with a boat full of fish to their anxious families who were waiting for them on dry land. Crash! Another monstrous wave belted the boat and crew.

By the end of the movie, I never wanted to set foot on a boat again and was worn out from trying to get everyone home where they would live happily ever after. I was tempted to demand a refund because of false advertising. Believe me, there was definitely no happy ending, but I did come away with a new fascination and deep respect for the sea.

I have a friend who loves to sail. When I asked him if he had ever been caught in a bad storm, he responded, “Many times!” I shook my head in disbelief. Of course, I had to ask, “Then why on earth do you keep sailing?” His answer was profound. “Mary, every sailor knows that there will be storms. You just learn what to do when the storm hits. There is only one thing to do and only one way to survive. You have to put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.

The same is true in our lives. When the fierce storms of life overwhelm us, there is only one thing to do if we want to survive those storms. We must position ourselves in the right place – in the hands of God – and He will keep us there until the storm has passed. Jeremiah echoes this truth when he wrote:

“Lord, You are my strength and my protection, my safe place in times of trouble” (Jeremiah 16:19 ERV).

The words of the psalmist are filled with confidence and hope: “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed” (Psalm 107:29, NIV). We really can trust God to bring peace and to reduce the fiercest storm to a mere whisper. The faithful provision and sustaining comfort of God at work in our life depends on our willingness to trust Him.

I love my children with all of my heart. Naturally, there are times when they make me very angry. They make wrong choices and sometimes even disappoint me, but if they are hurt, sick, or in trouble, the anger, disappointment, and even disobedience is overruled by my love for them, and a driving need to comfort them. If my imperfect heart responds to my imperfect children that way, think about how the perfect heart of our heavenly Father responds to us.

Richard Fuller writes: “You must stay upon the Lord; no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm and hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus.”

We can face every storm with confidence, knowing God will redeem it for good. We can trust few things in this life, but God’s faithfulness is one of them. When the hard times come, and the storms roll in, trust God, and hold on. He is with you.

 

Let’s Pray

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. Forgive me when I let fear consume my heart instead of choosing to trust You. Give me eyes to see the treasure buried at the heart of every storm and help me to choose joy – even when I don’t understand what You are doing. Teach me, Lord. Let my life be an illustration of Your strength perfected in my weakness.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

Let’s Keep in Touch

June 30, 2023, Girlfriends in God is coming to a close. Thank you for linking arms with us in ministry for the past 17 years. We still want to share life with you! Click here to continue receiving devotions from Sharon Jaynes on Tuesdays. Click here to continue receiving devotions from Mary Southerland on Wednesdays. Click here to continue receiving devotions from Gwen Smith on Thursdays.

 

Now It’s Your Turn

Looking back at the storms in your life, how would you rate your response to those storms?
What changes do you need to make in order to experience victory?

 

More from the Girlfriends

Need help? Check out Mary’s new devotion books, Life is So Daily (Volumes 1 and 2). We pray these devotions will encourage and help you build a solid foundation of faith.

 

 

 

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