Finding Calm in the Cyclone

“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” (Psalm 62:1)

For many years, my son was terrified of storms. When he was younger, a crack of thunder or flash of lightning would send him into emotional orbit. His heart pounded. Tears flowed. Terror danced in his eyes. And that was for a thundershower or a tornado warning three states away. In his mind, every cloud contained a cyclone. No matter how much his mother and I assuaged his anxiety with reason, his mind still raced with worry. It’s hard for little boys to find calm amidst the chaos.

It’s also hard for big boys (and girls).

Few of us can find peace when our world is rocking and rolling. After all, a raging storm terrorizes even the most seasoned sailor. Just ask Jesus’ disciples. In one gospel story, the storm sent twelve experienced mariners into their own Galilean orbit. Hearts pounded. Eyes filled with terror. I suspect even a tear flowed. Where was Jesus in the storm? Sleeping. While the disciples scrambled, the master slumbered. No storm was going to make him lose any sleep. What can rain do to the One who already Reigns?

Exactly. Jesus knew Who was in control. It’s no wonder He could rest easy. When you focus upon the created rather than the Creator expect to lose a lot of sleep, get heart palpitations and shed some tears. Anxiety disables and worry kills

Rest in God alone, the psalmist penned. Trust his timing. Rely on His resources. Storms will always build on the horizon. And when the thunder rolls, just know you can’t halt the hurricane or turn a tornado by yourself.

But it's possible to know the One who can. Which makes me very thankful.

And sleepy.


NOTABLE QUOTABLES ON REST:

When we are present in each moment, the past gently rolls up behind us and the future slowly unravels before us. - Rev Richard Levy

Life is lived in the present. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is yet to be. Today is the miracle. - Anonymous

It's not the tragedies that kill us. It's the messes. - Dorothy Parker

Nothing is worth more than this day. - Goethe

Let loose of what you can't control. Serenity will be yours. - Anonymous

Be happy in the moment - that's enough. Each moment is all we need - not more. - Mother Teresa

He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the world. - Marcus Aurelius

Father, it is so hard to find Your Rest. It’s so difficult to give up our control so You might work. Today we don’t pray that You remove our life storms but rather that You give us a new perspective. Lift us high enough to realize, in light of Your Power and Protection, they are mere squalls containing only showers of testing and winds of change. Amen.