What can I say about TheOvercomer? I have read her testimony and, as shocking as it was, the sunrise she has seen and shared has been gift to a great many people, including me. She has no illusions about just how tough the storms of this mad life are to endure, but, even so, Darla has a great sense of humor to this very day. She cares very deeply about the people in her life who are fortunate enough to call her friend. I know this, of course, because I am one of them. Today, she reminds those of us who know–and points the way for those who do not yet know about a certain…
REFUGE
by Darla
Storms are not new to any of us. It seems we live there most of the time–whether you follow Christ or not. The intensity of the storm is the same for each of us, no matter how any of us sees it. If it brought you to your knees, if you cried, if you felt the desperation, if it looked like the bottom feel out and felt like it too, if the walls were closing in, if the night felt like it would never end…it was a storm. Your storm can not be measured against another storm. All of us are feel the affects of the storms individually. Storms change the appearance of things; a physical storm can changes a landscape while an internal storm changes our thinking, our reactions, and our responses. How can I be so sure about this?
I grew up in a storm. So I do know what I’m talking about. So many times I became discouraged, thinking I had rode it out only to find out I was doing the “happy dance” in the eye of the storm.
Defeat. Loneliness. Despair. Crushed.
Following Jesus Christ has taught me how to weather the storms. Yes, Christ Followers have storms. Sometimes physical, sometimes emotional, sometimes spiritual. The difference is: God is our refuge. I now stand in the stronghold of God through the storm, holding on to Him with two hands. And I refuse to let go. They still bring me to my knees. But the difference is I pray harder, and cry out to Him, instead of allowing the despair to come in.
Do I get knocked off my feet? Yes.
But I have learned to get back up, brush it off, and move on. With Christ.
So how does this help my storm? The winds will whip, the skies will grow dark, evil will feel present–even pressing–despair will breathe down your neck, hope will seem to run out, leaving you alone…
…and yet God has said, ”I will never leave you or forsake you.”
He doesn’t lie. It is your promise. From. God.
Believe Him.
He walks through the storm with you. And though you cannot see Him or feel Him, He does not leave.
Cling to Him. And the sun will rise.
I once heard a speaker say, “God is looking down in your storm, and He sees you holding on for dear life and you are beautiful to Him. He reaches down and covers you. And although He may not stop the storm, He will hide you in it.”
That is peace.
You are not alone. We are all here with you.
And He is closer than any one of us possibly could be.
