Storm Warning - Encouragement Café - December 12

Storm Warning
 By Jamy Whitaker

Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. I am the Lord your God. I will be with you everywhere you go.  Joshua 1:9 NIRV

When I was a child I was absolutely afraid of thunderstorms. I remember many nights waking with a start, trying to convince myself it would be all right. The only thing I needed to do was shut my eyes and go back to sleep, but to no avail. As soon as my eyes were closed, the lightning would flash and the thunder rolled and my heart would be in my throat. I would quickly pad down the hall to my parents’ room, knowing I would be safe there.

I am older now and thunderstorms no longer plague me as they once did. However, that does not mean my fears vanished with the footed pajamas. No, they have simply changed with the years.

I fear that the checkbook will vanish faster than Christmas cookies.

I fear about my husband’s job situation.

I fear my health will take a nose dive.

I fear my kids will make bad, life-altering, decisions.

Your fears may look different than mine, but I am certain there’s one or two lurking in the shadows of your life. The real issue isn’t what the fears are, but what we choose to do about them. Obviously, running to my parents’ room won’t help, but we have to keep in mind our Heavenly Father is always with us. He is there to help and comfort us, if we would only reach out to Him.

I have found my best course of action when fears try and take hold of me is to turn on praise and worship music. It turns my focus from my fears to God and then I talk to Him in prayer. I also found looking up scriptures about my current situation or simply fear itself, and then journaling helps to quiet my soul when the storms of life try and rob me of peace.

Think about the last storm that came into your life, what did you do? What helped you weather the situation? Please take a moment to share in the comment section. 

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You today thanking You for choosing me. So often I forget that no matter what anyone else says or does, You have chosen me and You love me. Armed with that knowledge I ask that You help me to walk boldly after You. I pray that I no longer let fears, insecurities and doubts rule my life. I long to fulfill what You are asking me to do. Give me the wisdom and strength to follow hard after You. In Your Precious Name, Amen.

You Make Me Brave

For more encouragement, visit Jamy at jamywhitaker.org

© 2019 by Jamy Whitaker.  All rights reserved.

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