Weathering the Storms

I was raised in Minnesota, "The Land of 10,000 Lakes", but I never learned to swim well.  (Actually, there are 11,842 lakes according to Wikipedia.)  I was thrown into the deep end of a pool as a kid and was apparently traumatized by it because being in the water has never been a pleasant experience.  Maybe that's why I notice the many references to lakes, water and storms in the Bible.  I can identify with the disciples as they became uncomfortable and fearful during the times they were on lakes during storms, because our journey through cancer has involved storms. 

There is a very real sense of helplessness in a storm, whether the storm is literal or figurative.  There are forces at work far beyond our control.  Job wondered where God was in his distress as he observes, "You snatch me up in the wind and toss me about in the storm".-Job 30:22.  And in Isaiah I read of "the afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted"-Isaiah 54:11.  In Jonah I read, "Then The Lord sent a great wind upon the sea and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up."-Jonah 1:4.  I felt that helplessness in the periods of storm on our journey but God never left me to flounder during those times.  He regularly talked to me through Bible verses that reassured me that I was neither responsible for controlling my own ship nor providing for my own safety through those periods of helplessness.  

"You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat."-Isaiah 25:4.  I could, and did, count on God for shelter.  

"He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.  They were glad when it grew calm and He guided them to their desired haven."-Psalm 107:29, 30.  He did and I was!

"Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake so that the waves swept over the boat, but Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples woke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!'  ....then He got up and rebuked the waves, and it was completely calm."-Matthew 8:24-26.  And so it was.

So I have nothing to fear when those storms come along, even if I am a lousy swimmer.  I have the very best Life Preserver that anyone could hope for.

"The voyage is long, the waves high, the storms pitiless,

But my helm is held steady,

Thy Word secures safe passage,

Thy grace wafts me onward,

My haven is guaranteed."-The Valley of Vision:  A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions.

On the health front:

I had my blood draw this morning so it's wait and see time again.  I'd sure welcome some improvement!