Gloom and Doom

Gloom and DoomPhoto Credit

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My husband has a $30 radar app on his iPhone.Β  We live in the land of hurricanes, so we keep a watchful eye on the weather. Β  Β  In the summer, it rains every day here — usually just about the time I am getting ready to pack up my stuff and head home from work.Β Β  If I time it just right, I can jump into the car when it’s still sprinkling and avoid getting soaked.Β  I put my windshield wipers on high and clench the steering wheel for dear life as I slowly inch home in heavy traffic on the wet turnpike.

Some days, it’s just dark out, but the rain never comes.Β  I have a fancy dancy blue tooth ear bud, so I call my Cubans on the 30 minute drive home with hands still firmly in control of the vehicle.Β  My abuelos live south of me, and in their old age they’ve become fearful of the rain — even though they never leave the house.Β  “Is it raining there?” my grandfather will ask in Spanish.Β  I usually say “not much” (even if it’s a deluge) so that he won’t worry.Β  He will lament that it’s been pouring at his house all day, and so I will tell him to stay inside where it is nice and dry.

The truth is we haven’t had a serious hurricane in these parts in close to a decade.Β  You’d never know it though — because some people have kept their storm shutters up and live in a dark prison of a house.

Fear of an impending storm can paralyze you.Β  I was reminded of this earlier this week when I read Diane’s Facebook status: “Once again, lots of thunder and no rain.”

I spend way too much time thinking about how the rain might fall on my parade.Β  I fear for my family.Β  I fear for my health.Β  I wonder what will happen if the sky falls down.Β  I envision gloom and doom ahead in my forecast. Β  But, the truth is that most days, it’s just a little thunder, and no rain.Β  The truth is that rain is not permanent — it’s just passing through.Β  The truth is that my Father controls the wind and the rain.Β  He is Lord of the storm.

I don’t want to hide inside when it’s a little cloudy outside.Β  Lord, help me to open up the windows and let the light in.Β  Help me to walk forward with the wind at my back and eyes lifted firmly toward the heavens.

God’s thunder sets the oak trees dancing
A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
We fall to our kneesβ€”we call out, β€œGlory!”

Above the floodwaters is God’s throne
Β Β Β Β from which His power flows,
Β Β Β Β from which He rules the world.

Β God makes His people strong.
God gives His people peace.

Psalms 29:9-11, MSG

Something to think about…

18 Comments

  1. Oh, Lyli…this is so perfect as we so often find ourselves living in fear when trusting and hoping are the directions for our eyes. God calls us to look to Him, open the door for He is right there. I, too, live in a hurricane-prone area of the Gulf and the fears that live through the media and in me by constantly watching the tropics on WeatherUnderground or NOAA only make me more fearful. I just need to be prepared and watch with caution. That caution can be the trust and hope in God for my care and safety, knowing He knows where I live and what the weather is all about here. He also knows the weather inside of me. He calms the storms and guards my heart. Thanks for this reminder.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

  2. Oh, Lyli! You will never know how much I needed this right now! I have been approaching a certain situation in my life with such a high degree of fear. As I was praying earlier tonight and seeking God’s face, He brought the verse to my mind that He hasn’t given us the spirit of fear…then I came in here and read your post. I know God has called me to do something, but yet, I am so afraid of stepping out of His will. No wonder the Bible says that “fear has torment”. Whew! Could we ever attest to that fact, huh?? God help us to just put our trust in Him, and walk on. Surely He is in control, and He will see us through. So thankful for you!

  3. Lyli, I related so much to this post. My husband and I just decided last week that a good nickname for me would be Chicken Little – for I am indeed always waiting for the sky to fall. I am like you – I fear for my family, I fear for my health. But fear is so crippling.

    The verses that you quoted at the end of your post are verses that I *happened* to find one night. I was having trouble sleeping, worried about so many things, and I just decided to open my Bible randomly. Those were the verses that were on the page that I turned to! I remind myself often of the truths I found there:

    God is still on His throne.
    He rules above the floodwaters of my life.
    He will make me strong.
    He will give me peace.

    That is worth shouting, “Glory!”

    GOD BLESS!

  4. Lyli, such truth written into every word you have shared. But I have to say, I was stopped from reading when my eyes fell onto the words… “Help me to walk forward with the wind at my back and eyes lifted firmly toward the heavens.” My post this morning was on moving forward. There are no words for how grateful I am when God confirms His Word. Thank you for hearing the words He wanted you to pen and share on this very day! Consider yourself {{Hugged}}!!! Blessings on you today!

  5. “I spend way too much time thinking about how the rain might fall on my parade. I fear for my family. I fear for my health. I wonder what will happen if the sky falls down. I envision gloom and doom ahead in my forecast. But, the truth is that most days, it’s just a little thunder, and no rain. The truth is that rain is not permanent β€” it’s just passing through. The truth is that my Father controls the wind and the rain. He is Lord of the storm.”

    He is Lord of the storm. Amen sista’!

  6. Praise God that He is the Lord of EVERY storm! I made a vow years ago (and continue to declare it as needed) that I will not let any circumstance steal the peace that Jesus promises to me. I recognize that feeling in my head and in my heart when I’ve ‘left His side’ and begun to buy-in to the fear again. This is a very cool awareness! I used to spend hours or days in the fear and now I know I must simply lean in closer to Him. Ahhh. Circumstances come and go, but the love of our Lord is everlasting!

  7. I love that God’s word, His truths speak to every aspect of our lives. That’s one of there reasons I enjoy visiting you so much, Lyli, you show us how to see God in the fabric of our lives. Your words, and this Psalm teach us something profound. The first two stanzas are far from peaceful. They speak of wild dancing, thunder and flooding. Yet the Psalm ends with strength and peace. Two vital things that only God can give us during the storms of life. It’s been raining here {south TX} since 5am – and we are so very thankful! Have a blessed week!

  8. I gre up in another land of hurricanes too (from Puerto Rico). And it is funny what you say about your grandparents because my abuelas are the same. haha! I really like this psalm because it so applies to the how we deal with crisis in our lives.

  9. β€œOnce again, lots of thunder and no rain.” Ooh, that hits home. I’ve prayed so much about overcoming worry. The Lord is transforming me quite slowly, but I do see progress (praise God). This post really hits home with me, Lyli. Thanks for sharing it. Love this in Ps 29 “God makes His people strong. God gives His people peace.” Amen.

  10. What a good reminder. Today I was down a little and now with your suggestion, just sat here and looked outside my window. Beautiful clouds. warmer weather and heart filling up with gratitude instead of gloom and doom Thanks for the uplift!

  11. The wind at my back and my eyes toward Heaven. Those words resonated with me. Too often I hold the worriers’ place. It says in 1 John that if we fear (worry) we haven’t experienced perfect love. When we see God’s love, we realize He can take care of what we are worrying about. When I forget this truth I stop and remember God’s perfect love. I wish I could remember BEFORE I begin worrying. ~Pamela

  12. And thus the purpose of connecting with enouragers who lift up with words and envelope us with virtual hugs, bringing us to the light of the hope and reminding us to step out in faith. Thanks for the reminder to look for the hope in the storms.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

  13. He licks his parched lips before looking up to the cloudless sky.
    Bending down he pulls the dry, hard corn strands from the crying stiff cracking soil.
    What would he give for one rain drop?
    This morning he moaned as another chicken died from thirst and the scrawny pig dug dust up in air.
    Moister a faint memory and the cow’s not giving any more milk. T
    he calf bawls all day long.
    A prayer slowly moves into his heart and he hopes in the Lord of the harvest as he rests his head for the night.
    The farmer wakes to wind blowing the shutters and rain heavy on the tin roof.
    Running with his wife and children they dance in rain and lift holy hands to the God who answers prayer.
    Rain…a gift from God.

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