Sunday Seed Thoughts: Surviving the Storm

Since we are only a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico, we were tracking two tropical storms, Marco and Laura,  heading toward the Gulf in the past week.

Marco fizzled. But Laura turned westward from us, increased to a category 4 and slammed the southern Louisiana coast. Lake Charles was hit hard.

While not as destructive as predicted, the worse storm to hit the state since 1856 has disrupted lives. Flooded homes. Damaged property. And at least 14 people have died.

Yet during this time, there have been many other storms. Perhaps you have been in one of them.

A couple walking in a major city has been inadvertently trapped in the middle of a rioting mob and wondered if they would make it out alive.

Someone has heard a Doctor say, “I’ve got bad news. The tests were positive. The tumor is malignant.”

A parent has been awakened in the middle of the night by a ringing telephone. Between muffled sobs, the voice on the other end says “There’s been an accident. It doesn’t look good. You better come quickly.”

A family has been called around the bedside of an aged parent. With tubes everywhere. And labored breathing. Moist eyes await the inevitable.

Husbands, wives, and even children have tested positive for COVID-19. Some fear for their lives. Others have died.

A Wife is heard to cry, “Why? Why me? Why my husband.”

Friends and family have filed by the casket of a loved one. For one final time. For one more look. One more remembrance.

How do I know this has happened? Because storms are a part of life. Through the years I’ve experienced them myself. And so have most of you. The question comes, “How do you survive the storm?” Whether the hurricane? Or the hurt?

The answer is found in a storm nearly 2,000 years ago. When Christ was crucified.

That Friday he experienced a storm unlike any other in history. Betrayal. Denial. Rejection. Heartbreak. Excruciating pain, agony and suffering. Plus the mental and emotional burden of bearing our sins on the cross. Finally, death became a welcomed friend.

But three days later the sun shone. Resurrection morning arrived. And the crucified Christ was now the risen Savior. He weathered the storm. He beat the devil at his own game. He stared death in the face. And won!

And so whatever storm I face, I can do it with confidence. Calmness. Composure. I have help to weather it. I have hope that all will be well. And I have the heart-felt care of Him who’s been there. Who survived. And who will see me through it. Sheltered. Securely. Safely.

Regardless of the storm you’ve faced or are currently experiencing you can find comfort today in Sunday’s Sonshine.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman