When "It" Hits . . . Will You Be Prepared?

It doesn’t take much time to figure out this thing called life comes with many happy, fun times, but also many sad, heartbreaking times.  Like life, weather has many faces and sometimes quickly changes.  As we enjoy the bright, sunny days, we know cloudy, stormy days are ahead.  The Bible clearly states that we will have trouble in this world.  Like weather storms, life's storms are bound to come.  If Jesus tells us we will have trouble, then we WILL have trouble (John 16:33)!   Advanced technology sometimes allows us to be warned of coming storms so we can prepare for their arrival, however, life's storms may not be as easily predicted. Can we prepare before they hit though?

At the age of 25,  I accepted Jesus Christ and soon thereafter started attending Precept Bible Study.  It was there that I first heard a wise, godly teacher paraphrase the truths of John 16:33.  She said, “If you aren’t in a trial now, you will be and if you haven’t yet experienced one, get ready because "it's" coming.”  I had experienced normal ups and downs in life and some difficult seasons, even the loss of my dad, but, I still wondered if something more severe would come and if so, what would “it” be and when would “it” come?  I picked up a book this morning entitled "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp (http://www.annvoskamp.com/), which I had tossed aside and hadn't read in many months.  Her words seemed to jump off the page and I felt a connection to them as she shared them so eloquently: 

"Joy and pain, they are but two arteries of the one heart that pumps through all those who don't numb themselves to really living.  Pages of the gratitude journal fill endlessly.  Yet I know it in the vein and visceral:  life is loss.  Every day, the gnawing. . . 

What will I lose?  Health?  Comfort?  Hope?  Eventually, I am guaranteed to lose every earthly thing I have ever possessed.

When will I lose?  Today?  In a few weeks?  How much time have I got before the next loss?

Who will I lose?  And that's definite:  I will lose every single person I have ever loved.  Either abruptly or eventually.  All human relationships end in loss.  Am I prepared for that?

Every step I take forward in my life is a loss of something in my life and I live the waiting:  How and of what will I be emptied today?"

Wow!  As I read, I was once again amazed at God's timing and prompting.  "Yes!", I thought, "that's what I was thinking", but, could never have conveyed it that way.  I mean, I don't actually sit around and dwell on or worry about the future and I haven't had that gnawing feeling, but, I have definitely had very similar thoughts about those all-encompassing questions of life.  He is ultimately in control though, so I have to trust.  Because good and bad things happen in this fallen world, I have wondered and still wonder, what is God going to use to accomplish His plan and purpose for me?  I'm already able to answer some of those questions, as many people can.   How many more things will I lose?  Will one loss be harder than another?  Was losing my son the hardest thing I will face this side of heaven? Will it get harder still?  Whatever comes, let me be able to say, as Job, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.  Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him" (Job 13:15).  Faith means I will take God at His Word.  I am grateful He allowed me to heed the words I heard and He used those words to teach me.   I believe that all will work for good to those that trust Him, even when all seems stacked against me. 

As a young Christian, unbeknownst to me, God was preparing me for my deep valley.  I continued to build my life on His Word and was faithful to attend church, but more importantly, to study His Word.  Even though, at times, I didn’t feel like it or would rather do something else, I stayed in Bible study groups and spent time alone with God.  This spiritual foundation that He was building in me, in His perfect timing, would soon be put to the test.

Twenty-two years after I gave my life to Christ, my storm hit!  Some trials and/or afflictions come slowly, while others hit abruptly without warning.  I can explain it no better than author Michele Cushatt (http://www.michelecushatt.com/), describing the day everything suddenly changed and the unthinkable happened as her world collapsed in a moment.  As with her story of cancer, suicide “is no respecter of persons.  It plows through a life like an unmanned car, destroying individuals, families, and dreams without the slightest hesitation.  Only those who have endured the unthinkable, understand how quickly a life can change.”  I would soon realize “it” had come and I could do absolutely nothing to change "it" nor could I ignore "it".   My world halted the moment I pulled into my driveway and heard the news I never thought I would hear!   No warning.  Well, I was warned, but not the kind of warning I would've liked.  Maybe I could've helped.  As I looked into his eyes for the last time that morning we met, I would've given anything to help his hurting heart.  But that was not God's ultimate plan, however His permissive will allowed it to happen.  God had given me advanced notice though.  I wasn't exactly aware of what might come, but He had told me I would have trouble.  He also had given me just the right amount of time He determined I needed to be equipped to face this adversity.   No matter how prepared I was, my world still suddenly changed!  Days kept passing one after another just as they always had, but these days were different.  They seemed to pass more quickly.  Even though I felt the world had stopped, time kept ticking.  The birds kept chirping.  The sun rose.  Life went on.  Somehow in God's loving care, He helped me to keep living and trusting.  There are still many times that I literally stop to remind myself of what day, month, and sometimes year it is.  That’s what this kind of cataclysmic, dreadful storm can do.  And then, with any damaging storm, you are left to sift through all the debris and rubble and try to somehow start anew.  I did not accept this lot willingly nor eagerly, but rather chose to include it as part of something broader; something only God can see and use for His glory.  God can always use our sinful choices for a greater victory, just as He did many years ago when Jesus Christ was crucified.  "God promises to render beauty out of "all things," not "each thing."  The isolated events may be evil, but the ultimate culmination is good. He redirects the energy of evil against its source.  He is the Master chess player, always checkmating the devil's moves." (Max Lucado: Hope and Help For Your Turbulent Times, An Inspirational DaySpring DayBrightener) 

Subsequently, later that night, a torrential thunderstorm came.  As I laid in bed and tried to turn off the on going thoughts in my head, the storm raged on outside.  Hopeless of my eyes ever closing, I got up.  But, to do what?  Go where?  I thought if I could somehow be close to where he last was.  His bedroom.  There, in his empty room, just me and the Lord, I found some solace.  Tears flowing, I cried out to the Lord to help me.  It was there, that God spoke to my heart in the wee hours of the morning.  Later that morning, He would use His words again to speak to me through two people whose words still bring me comfort today.  The rain kept falling and fell harder and the winds blew and beat against our house, but it did not collapse because its foundation had been built on the Rock.  I don’t think you can ever be totally prepared for what God may bring into your life nor understand His ways completely, but without a firm foundation, the chances are unfavorable for survival.  Weeks later, He would use this literal storm to reveal His messages to me through His Word which continues to enlighten, amaze, and comfort me (hopefully, more on that in a future post).

Before the foundation of the world, God knew the journey my life would take.  He has been faithful and has directed my steps, even when I wasn’t aware of His leading.  He has blessed me, kept me, walked with me, and I have lacked nothing (Deuteronomy 2:7).  Even though Satan thought, perhaps, he would destroy me and my family too, along with our witness, God has shown me He trusted me with "this."  He has brought "this" to prove the genuineness of my faith…which may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:6-7).  I thank Christ Jesus my Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service (1 Timothy 1:12).  Since October of last year, God continues to show me that "this" is an integral part of who I am and what I am becoming.  “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash" (Matthew 7:24-27).

 . . . Are you preparing for "IT"?   

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

“AND THOUGH MY HEART IS TORN, I WILL PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM”, and “EVEN IN THE DARKEST PLACE HIS LOVE CAN MAKE YOU RADIATE”

Lord, only with the help of Your Spirit and You being the Lifter of my head, am I able to do anything!   Thank You for always loving me, even when I fail You. Thank you for always being by my side, even when I am prone to leave Yours.  Thank You for holding me with Your righteous right hand, even when I can't feel it.  Thank You for carrying me through my dark days, even when I am unaware; forgive me when I have ignored You in my brighter days.  Thank You for giving me strength, grace, and mercy to persevere under this season of deep sorrow.   Help me to praise You the rest of my days, whatever may come my way.  You have promised me I am never alone; You have led me here and will lead me Home.  With You, there is peace in the midst of the storm.  Thank You for hope, found only in You.  I pray these things in Your holy Name.


*God started applying His balm to my bereaved soul in many ways, music being one. You can click on the highlighted/capitalized words which are links to songs that continue to bring solace to my broken, yet healing heart.

"I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry . . .

He put a new song in my mouth . . ." (Psalm 40:1-3)