Thankful in a Storm
by Noelle Dey
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 NIV
When did flu shots become as controversial as a chair-throwing episode of Jerry Springer? If you want to watch a slow-moving train wreck, bring up the conversation in a health food store.
But what if that shot had the power to inoculate us from the dreaded, “If only’s…”?
I remember desperate seasons of my life.
If only I could breathe without a ventilator.
If only my parents weren’t dying from cancer.
If only this relationship was reparable.
And there were times when I was merely being a drama queen.
If only I didn’t have to spend my whole Saturday in traffic school (again).
If only I had a top to match these pants.
When I meet Job in heaven one day, I wonder if he’ll roll his eyes at me. Or maybe I’ll be the reason he finds himself in a side-aching belly laugh.
None of us can wrap our minds around his trials. Within one day, he lost all of his property, possessions and even his precious children. If that weren’t enough, Job was afflicted with leprosy so terrible, that he used a broken piece of pottery to scrape himself.
Desperately Job cried out his “If only…”
If only there were someone to mediate between us,
someone to bring us together,
someone to remove God’s rod from me,
so that his terror would frighten me no more.
Then I would speak up without fear of him,
but as it now stands with me, I cannot. Job 9:33-35 NIV
Chances are, any trial you and I are currently facing would have been a part of Job’s storm of tragedy. So, his “If only…” is actually the turnkey for us today. His cry for help foreshadowed the ultimate miracle that was to come. His Name is Jesus.
- He is our mediator. He brings us together with our Heavenly Father. 1 Timothy 2:5
- We can come boldly into God’s presence because of Jesus. Ephesians 3:12
- His love takes away all our fear. 1 John 4:18
The one and only solution Job was looking for to soothe his unspeakable pain, is a gift you and I have today. It’s the one thing that allows us to be thankful in our storms. We also have a gift Job did not. We can read the book of Job to know that God had amazing restoration ahead. That promise is for you and me as well.
How do we use this turnkey solution? Matthew 6:33 NIV says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Carve out time for Jesus. Make it your top priority. There’s no “right” formula for your special time with Him. He knows your daily needs. He knows your “If only’s…” and He promises when you seek Him first, everything else will fall into place.
Heavenly Papa, Thank You for loving each of us so much that You gave Your only Son Jesus. As we spend time with Him, we know that You will cover our “If only’s…”. Thank You for peace in the midst of storms and thank You for upcoming restoration. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!
For more encouragement, check out Noelle’s book "Transformation by Truth: 30 days to a healthy heart, mind and body".
© 2018 by Noelle Dey. All rights reserved.
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