Praising God in the Storms

There is this song by Casting Crowns called, "Praise You in the Storm" (the post above it has a cool video with the song-- yes, I messed up trying to post the video AND the written part). I have always loved that song, because it is so real, so authentic and so where God wants me to be when I walk through the storms of this life. I can't say that personally the storms are so severe in my life, right now... but when I look out around me, it looks like the radar map on the Weather Channel lately-- somewhere, across the country or around the world, is getting pummeled by severe weather. Have you noticed that? Every time I look, there is severe weather somewhere-- the threat of tornadoes, flooding, hail, high winds, lightening strikes, and the list goes on. It is the same way in life, and it seems like the more I stick my neck out into the world and follow God's lead, the more "storms" I either witness or personally experience. Now to some, that could sound like a contradiction-- especially if all you think about God is that if you follow Him, He is supposed to provide you with all this outward, visible peace and security and wealth and protection from the bad things in life. And He DOES do those things!!! I have seen it in our lives and in the lives of those I love. But it's not about all the outward stuff we can see. He goes one further-- He provides peace, protection and security even IN THE STORM. And to be sure, there are storms. Every day, there is a storm somewhere. They are unavoidable. And for the follower of Christ, sometimes I think they are even more!! God calls those who follow Him to be "Light" and what is the purpose of light except to shine and illuminate the darkness!! Well... you have to GO INTO THE DARKNESS if you are going to light it up!!!

Why am I blogging about storms? Because there are a lot of people I know right now who are smack dab in the middle of a "severe weather pattern". Families in our adoption group, dear friends and fellow ministry partners at church, friends of friends, etc. My heart is wrung out for each one as I think of their storm and pray for them. And exactly how do I pray for them? Well, after I read this particular blog this morning, I feel like I have new direction. For those of you who believe in the power of prayer, I want to share this link with you:

How to Pray for those in Trials

I hope it encourages and directs you as much as it did me. For those of you walking through storms... just know, that this is how I am praying for you.

Grace and Peace,
Shari