In the Eye of the Storm

I am a praise warrior! This storm, or battle, feels familiar. There is so much turbulence around me I cannot see anything except the assault upon my life, my loved ones, and our faith. I know how to pray. I have prayed about all these circumstances for years, and yet everything is blowing in every direction with so much debris in my face that it is causing me physical distress. I know the power of Christ. I know His promises and how to encourage and be encouraged, yet this familiar assault seems to have overtaken me.

Then I look straight up, as if in the eye of a mighty tornado, and behold, there is a still calmness, a reminder that God is with me. I know the One who gave me life with a plan to live. In the eye of the storm, not even a breeze can harm me because the One who died for me is holding me. At this point, He holds the faith He died to give me.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." - Psalm 46:1-3

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." - Isaiah 43:2

Sometimes, the answers to prayers are confusing, but I know the one I pray to. I know who I am in Christ. I am a praise warrior. When I am under assault, I will lift my hands and worship in surrender to the one who died not only for me but for all. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, not even our choice.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

It is almost Easter time, and I remember my life verse. To live is Christ; to die is gain. I say this out loud all the time. Even if I do not understand my life, I continue to pray, "To live is Christ, to die is gain, oh my Lord, help me attain the life you gave up on that cross, the life you gave and suffered loss. To live is Christ; to die is gain."

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:21

"If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." - Romans 14:8

I do not want to let my Savior down because of life circumstances. Instead, I will lift my eyes to heaven, where my peace comes from, and my hands to a Savior worth praising!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

Declare with me that to live is Christ; to die is gain!

Happy living!