Peace in the Storm

Our pets are scared of storms.

If left alone in a room during a storm, our 81-pound dog George will whimper, moan, even howl. He's been known to butt open a door with his head in order to get to us. More than once I've awakened during the night with his head under my hand, alerting me to a storm going on outside. Our bird, Petey, will screech and flap his wings frantically during a storm, especially if he's left near a window.

So we have developed the habit of bringing Petey's cage into our bedroom on potentially stormy nights. George already has gained the privilege of his 11 dog years to sleep in our room every night, so on stormy nights Bob and I lay in bed with George on the floor on my side and Petey at the end of the bed in his cage.

What's amazing is that no matter how bad the storm, if they are in our room they are calm, peaceful, and restful. Their sleep isn't affected by thunder and lightning even when, at times, mine is!

Last night as I lay in bed listening to the storm and thinking about the contrast between our peaceful pets and their reactions when they are not with us, I realized that this is the "peace in the storm" that God wants us to have.

Life is full of storms. Even if we enjoy a brief lull, usually the stormclouds rise, the lightning flashes, and something occurs to shake us. But Jesus tells us not to be anxious; the Apostle Paul elaborates with the command to be anxious for nothing.

The fact is, God wants us to be as much at peace with Him in the storms of life as our pets are with us. More so, actually. He wants us to make a willful choice to rest in Him, to allow His peace to pass all understanding.

What storms are keeping you awake at night? What thunder and lightning cause your peace to be rattled? Are you acting like George and Petey when we're not around - or are you surrendering to the peace of your Father's presence like they do when they're with us during a storm?

I pray that God will encourage you to see the reality of His presence in your storm tonight. May the words of this song minister to your spirit.

Sometimes He Calms the Storm
song lyrics written by Tony Wood and Kevin Stokes

All who sail the sea of faith
Find out before too long
How quickly blue skies can grow dark
And gentle winds grow strong

Suddenly fear is like white water
Pounding on the soul
Still we sail on knowing
That our Lord is in control

CHORUS
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered "Peace be still"
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will

Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child

He has a reason for each trial
That we pass through in life
And though we're shaken
We cannot be pulled apart from Christ

No matter how the driving rain beats down
On those who hold to faith
A heart of trust will always
Be a quiet peaceful place

CHORUS