A Rainbow

Everybody wants happiness. Nobody wants pain, but you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.” (Anonymous)

Life isn’t perfect. It’s often messy, chaotic, confusing, and unbearable at times. We might become confused, or plagued with doubt and fear. We may even lose sight of God within the swirling storm clouds of life. As Christians, we can be certain there is calm amidst our storms. There is always calmness in the arms of the Lord. In life’s worst, God’s mighty powers are revealed to us in ways we could have never imagined.  He is with us in the midst of all we walk through.

God never promised us this life would be easy, but He does promise us that He is bigger than any storm we face in this world. He’s always is working for our good even in the circumstances that we don’t fully understand.. Our storms might look different in this life, but they all have the opportunity to change us permanently. God is the only One who has the power to take the catastrophic and to turn it around to something that is wonderful. For it’s the way God works.

The power of scripture and prayer holds the ability to soothe our souls, to refresh our spirits, and cause hope to rise above the pain we might be feeling.  Remember both scripture and prayer when you need them in the eye of the storm. No song more accurately depicts this time of difficulty in a person’s life more than Ryan Stevenson’s song ““Eye of the Storm.”

 

In the eye of the storm
You remain in control
And in the middle of the war
You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor
When my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me
In the eye of the storm

When the solid ground is falling out from underneath my feet
Between the black skies, and my red eyes, I can barely see
When I realize I've been sold out by my friends and my family
I can feel the rain reminding me
When my hopes and dreams are far from me
And I'm runnin' out of faith
I see the future I picture slowly fade away
And when the tears of pain and heartache
Are pouring…

When my hopes and dreams are far from me
And I'm runnin' out of faith
I see the future I picture slowly fade away
And when the tears of pain and heartache
Are pouring down my face
I find my peace in Jesus' name

When the test comes in and the doctor says
I've only got a few months left
It's like a bitter pill I'm swallowing
I can barely take a breath
And when addiction steals my baby girl
And there's nothing I can do
My only hope is to trust You
When the storm is raging

And my hope is gone

When my flesh is failing
You're still holding on, oh whoa
When the storm is raging And my hope is

When my flesh is failing

You're still holding on

When the storm is raging

And my hope is gone

Even when my flesh is failing

You're still holding on, holding on

The Lord is my Shepherd
I have all that I need
He lets me rest in green meadows
He leads me beside peaceful streams
He renews my strength
He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His Name
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid
For You are close beside me

 

1.     Dear Heavenly Father, You remind me in the Bible that You are always with me. You tell me not to fear, and You draw me close into Your Presence. You’re the only place I find refuge in the storms that surround me right now Lord. You’re the only place I can find peace and strength. So I ask You for Your power to strengthen me. Thank you for your goodness.

“God is our protection and source of strength.  He is always ready to help us in times of trouble. So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and the mountains fall into the sea.” (Psalm 46:1-2, ERV)
 

2.     Dear Heavenly Father, You give us the power to come out of our trial s as gold. Thank you that this storm will not last forever, but I’m only passing through it. Thank you that nothing has taken You by surprise. You know my journey better than I do., You will use this time of testing for good.

"But God knows me.  He is testing me and will see that I am as pure as gold." (Job 23:10, ERV)

3.     Dear Heavenly Father, You are victorious over every obstacle. You have overcome sin and death. Because of You, we too are overcomers. We too can have victory, and we can walk strong in your peace.

“I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”." ( John 16:33, ERV)
 

4.     Dear Heavenly Father, You are our Redeemer that will not waste my pain. Thank you that we can be assured all things, not some things l, will work together for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose.

"We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan." (Romans 8:28, ERV)
 

5.     Dear Heavenly Father, You are producing in us great endurance through the hard places. You are building spiritual muscle. I press in close to your Presence today, and no matter what obstacles I’m facing will choose joy.

“My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering.” (James 1:2-3, ERV)
 

6.     Dear Heavenly Father, my comfort is in Christ. Nothing in the world can bring me the peace that You alone can offer. You understand my trials, and care. Through my struggle with pain, help me to be your light to offer strength to others who are hurting.

“He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. We share in the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way, much comfort comes to us through Christ.”( 2 Corinthians 1:4-5, ERV)
 

7.     Dear Heavenly Father, in every weakness, Your strength is displayed in our lives. We can’t do it on our own, but You can, through us. Your power is Mighty within us. You are our Helper. All things are possible through You.

“But the Lord said, “My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.” So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me.  Yes, I am glad to have weaknesses if they are for Christ. I am glad to be insulted and have hard times. I am glad when I am persecuted and have problems, because it is when I am weak that I am really strong.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, ERV)
 

8.     Dear Heavenly Father, through this trial You are using my circumstances to make a mark this world positively. Draw me closer to Yourself. Many know of your great name and miracles of your faithfulness. I choose today to fix my eyes, and not on all the troubles that surround me.

"That is why we never give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day.  We have small troubles for a while now, but these troubles are helping us gain an eternal glory. That eternal glory is much greater than our troubles. So we think about what we cannot see, not what we see. What we see lasts only a short time and what we cannot see will last forever." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, ERV)

9.     Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for being all around me throughout my life. You walk beside me, and make my footsteps firm. You are my Protector and Defense. I won’t fear that You will ever leave me alone. Thank You for your powerful Presence surrounding me. I renew my focus on You this day, and know in advance You will guide me to do this. I love you, need You, and choose to follow You today, and every day of my life here on Earth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

You are all around me in front of me and behind me.  I feel your hand on my shoulder.” (Psalm 139:5, ERV)

Note to self…God can calm the wind and waves with one word, one thought, [and] one wave of His hand.  If He chooses not to calm the storm around me, He will calm the storm within me.  He wants me to trust, and be at peace.  He is in control. His eye is upon me. He will see me through.” (Debbie Kay)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “9 Prayers for When You’re Going through the Storm” by Debbie McDaniel

·        “Seeking God in the Storm” by Church of the Rock