Calm in the Storm

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:4-7

Sadie snuggled under the covers as rain drummed against her bedroom window. Jagged streaks of lightning flashed across the black sky, and thunder crashed. Sadie pulled the quilt over her head. But the storm inside her heart seemed far greater than the storm outside, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

The awful news had come. Sadie’s parents were getting a divorce. They had been separated for several months, and Sadie had been praying they’d be able to work things out. Now there would be no chance of restoring their family to the way it was, and Sadie felt she would never be happy again.

A few minutes later, Sadie heard her door opening softly, and Mom came in. “Is the storm bothering you, honey?” Mom asked.

Sadie wiped her eyes. “Not really.”

Mom sat down in a chair next to the bed. “When you were small, you were very afraid of thunder and lightning,” she said.

“I was?” Sadie asked. “I don’t remember that. How did I get over it?”

“When a bad storm came, I used to sit beside you in this chair,” Mom replied. “Just having me here seemed to make your fears go away.”

“Oh.” After a moment, Sadie said, “I still like having you here, but you don’t need to stay tonight, Mom. I’ll be okay.”

“I know you will, but another storm hit us today, didn’t it? I know the news was terrible for you. It was for me too. That’s not the way I wanted things to go.” She stroked Sadie’s hair. “I know how upset you’ve been lately, and I’ve prayed that God’s presence will help you through this tough time. I’d never make it without Him, and I hope you’ll remember that He’s always here to help you through any of life’s storms.” They talked a little longer, and then Mom returned to her own room.

Sadie looked at the empty chair. She tried to imagine Jesus sitting there, watching over her. “Dear Lord,” she prayed, “thank You for being with me—and with Mom too.” Suddenly she knew that even though her problem was still there, things were different now because she was trusting Jesus to take care of her.

Sadie rolled over and was soon sound asleep.

-Sherry L. Kuyt

How About You?

Do you have a difficult problem in your life right now? Have your parents divorced? Has a family member died? Is someone you love seriously ill? Have you been abused? Perhaps you feel lonely and neglected. As you go through hard times, Jesus is right there with you. Trust Him to be with you in life’s storms and help you through them. He is always with you and offers you His peace.

Today’s Key Verse: Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Today’s Key Thought:

Trusting God brings peace