Peace in the Midst of the Storm

May 23, 2024

From Pastor Eileen States

Life is hard. I am reminded of this daily as I speak with people of all ages. Pain, suffering, stress and anxiety bombard us from all angles. How does one navigate through these difficult times to find peace in the midst of the storm(s)?  

Years ago I was going through what I consider now to be a very dark time in my life. I couldn’t seem to find a way out of the darkness and struggled to function in day to day activities. I reached out to 2-3 of my closest family and friends and pleaded with them to be praying for me since I couldn’t seem to even pray for myself. I know God heard and answered  their prayers on my behalf. I happened to live close to a Christian book store and chose one day to stop in to see if I could find something to bring relief, encouragement and peace to my troubled mind. I believe the prayers of my friends and family were leading me to the true source of healing for my pain. 

I am normally a book person but that day I left with a CD by Scott Wesley Brown. I can still picture myself going home and turning the music on from that CD.  It was dark outside and I remember lying on the floor of my living room with the lights off  while the words to the song “He Will Carry You” blasted over my speakers.  With tears streaming down my face I took the message to that song to heart.  I look back to that moment as a turning point in this difficult season of life for me. 

Link to the song:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4tovcA5i7k

I would love to remind you that we as brothers and sisters in Christ are here to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. If you are going through one of these storms in life, will you allow us to come along side you and journey with you? Give us an opportunity to pray with and for you. Allow us to be a listening ear if needed. This is what we as a church family are called to do for one another. 

I leave you with two passages from Scripture that remind me that though we were never promised to have a pain free life this side of heaven, we can be assured we have a God who will walk with us through the difficult times.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:8

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed...Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."       

2 Corinthians 4:8-9;16-18

May God draw close to each one of you to give you strength for today. May His peace be upon you this day. 

Pastor Eileen