I was truly born a scaredy-cat. Everything scared me as a child especially at night. I had a whole nighttime ritual that I kept up well past the age it should have stopped to save myself from the monsters of the unknown. The covers had to be up to my chin, although I thought my head would be fine. All my extremities had to be covered by the blankets at all times. God forbid my foot came out from under the covers while I was sleeping, or a monster could have eaten it off. This nonsense happened BEFORE the movie Poltergeist that EVERY kid was allowed to see without parent supervision. What does parental supervision mean exactly? 80s kids really have no idea. Anyway, after I got married and was in my late twenties, I was still afraid of nighttime. I hated to stay home alone, so it was a major relief that Jeff almost never traveled. That was my life BEFORE I knew Jesus, but now I trust in God:
- when I came to believe that Jesus was God’s son, things changed for me.
- when I knew He cared enough to die an agonizing death for us so we could be one of His people, things changed for me.
- when I knew Jesus was in control of all things, things changed for me.
- how could I stay scared if He was in control of what I was not in control of?
The one who is called the Alpha and Omega has my back. It was an amazing change indeed.
Do Not Be Afraid
God has told us 365 times in the Bible, “Do Not Be Afraid!”, once for each day of the year. I truly think He means it. Things still scare us but as we come to know our Savior and His ways, we have fewer fears, and we become less scared of the fears that are left. If you are a Christian and still terrified of anything in this world, you need to work on getting closer to the God and Savior Jesus Christ. I am in a place of peace during my cancer journey. I am not scared of dying; I’m not scared of the treatments; I’m not even scared of going to my daughter’s wedding in a wig. Although I do wish I didn’t have to!!!
Joshua
I studied the book of Joshua as I was taking over a large women’s Bible study as Teaching Director. The last Teaching Director had been there for 7 years and her husband was a professor at a local seminary. Talk about being intimidated! I had only been a believer in Jesus for 10 years and I was going to be the leader of it all. “Help!” was my motto for the year.
Joshua also had to take over for an intimidating leader: Moses himself. Moses had been visited by the one true God. Moses was sent to get God’s people out of Egypt. Moses was the one who was WITH the Lord God almighty for so long that his face glowed with God’s glory and he had to put a veil over his face because the people were scared. Then Joshua had to take over. Whew, baby, talk about feeling unworthy and intimidated! But God. But God told Joshua the truth that Moses my servant is dead.
“Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” [emphasis mine]
Be strong and courageous…
-not because Joshua was able to be strong.
-not because Joshua knew how to do these things.
-not because God gave Joshua everything needed for the task.
-not because Joshua would be perfect for this task.
Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. God has never ever said this life would be easy, or fair, or sweet, or that you would receive justice, good health, or no trials because you are my child. Jesus said in John 16:32 “Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” [emphasis mine]
Do you understand what that means? Jesus is in control and He will never leave us. Ever since Pentecost, when God sent the Holy Spirit, every person who will put their trust in the Father’s only begotten son, Jesus, and trusting Him only for salvation, has eternal life. You will live with Him forever in a place where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
BUT wait, there’s more…..
In this crazy life right now, every horrible evil, every crazy frightening thing, and every gruesome dart that Satan throws at us, we have the one who created the world beside us. Us, little ole us! It’s unfathomable. The concept doesn’t make sense, it isn’t possible, and it is certainly not reasonable, but it is truth! How do I know? Jesus changed every single thing in my life when I believed He was my Lord and Savior. He has given me every true desire of my heart. He is with me so closely that I feel his presence like someone has walked into the room. We talk as if He were right beside me. I know Him better than I know my husband of 34 years. Jesus is in control of all things but still loves me in all of my daily sins and failures. But, oh, when I succeed in some small matter He is cheering me on. My biggest fan still controls the waves and wind. I am not afraid for I trust in God.
This is exactly why I can say, “through it all, through it all, my eyes are on you. Through it all, through it all, it is well. Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on you, and it is well with me.” This is possible because Jesus is for us and He is EVERYTHING. He is bigger than anything this world throws at us and Much, Much bigger than cancer.
CHALLENGE
Am I shining the light of Jesus where I go, or am I wallowing in my circumstances?
Am I scared of things in this world, or am I trusting that Jesus is in control and I am not?
3 responses to “The Waves and Wind Still Know His Name”
Laura, Prayers continue for you my sister!! I am so thankful that God is with us. In my darkest time, I like you could feel his presence and it brought such peace to my heart, my soul.
Thank you for this. I still need reminded to be strong and courageous and to shine my light in this dark world!!!
SO inspirational!! I think each of us needs a post like this to encourage our faith. Thank you, dear sister.
Oh Laura, I can practically hear your voice as I read this. Thank you for sharing your heart and continuing to be a light for Christ. You certainly challenge me to reflect on my perspective and seek where I need to grow.