Hanging onto HOPE in Life’s Storms
Guest post by Grace Fox
The day dawned with the promise of smooth sailing. Literally. It was late August, and my husband Gene and I were heading home after three days exploring the Straits of Georgia off British Columbia’s coast. Six uneventful hours passed, but bliss turned to bluster when our engine died as we entered a notoriously shallow area.
One thing led to another. By day’s end we’d experienced a storm of epic proportions: Rough seas. Three engine failures. The electric anchor winch had stopped working, the dinghy we towed had been punctured and its oars lost at sea, and we had to motor up the Fraser River in the dark. Just when we thought things couldn’t get worse, Canadian Border Patrol guards stopped us and searched our vessel for drugs. Because we’d anchored in American waters to fix our engine (the only safe place along the shoreline) and then crossed back into Canadian waters, they said we’d have to quarantine for two weeks. Failure to comply would result in a fine of $750,000 or six months in prison.
“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,” I said. The in-charge guard replied, “Lady, this is no laughing matter.” My knees knocked, my heart pounded, and I imagined headlines screaming, “Christian Author Behind Bars.”
Sometimes life’s like that, right? The day dawns with promise, but everything changes in a nanosecond. Bliss turns to bluster. A storm strikes and sends us on a journey we didn’t choose. Things go from bad to worse. Circumstances leave us weak-kneed and winded, and our imaginations take us to places we don’t want to go.
I sometimes feel as though life since the pandemic is like a storm that won’t stop. Global gusts blow hard, ease momentarily, and then regain force. Literal storms—hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods—strike and affect people already hurting. As though those challenges combined weren’t enough, it seems everyone’s dealing with personal storms of one type or other: Cancer. Covid. Betrayal. Job loss. Rejection. Loss of possessions and dreams. Loss of loved ones. I’ve lost four friends since Christmas. All had school-aged children.
The wind and waves rise, and so does fear. But in the midst of it all, my friend, God is with us. Sometimes, when we call on Him for help, He calms the storm around us. Other times, He calms the storm within. Hope comes when we hold onto His promises like a life ring. Here are three promises that I’ve found especially meaningful.
· Psalm 46:1 (NLT)— “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” No matter what our storm looks like, He is ready to help us get through it. He will give us the strength needed.
· 1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV) – “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” Focusing on Jesus rather than the wind and waves keeps our perspective in a place of peace rather than panic.
· Psalm 118:14 (NLT) – “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.” God will give us victory. The waves will not drown us because He is near.
Memorize and meditate on these promises as you fall asleep at night. Recite them aloud when you wake in the morning. Repeat as needed throughout your day.
Storms happen, but we can face them with hope for a good outcome because God hasn’t left us to fend for ourselves. He is with us and offers to come to our rescue. We need only ask: “God, help! I can’t do this on my own. Please be my strength and give me victory. Amen.”
Grace Fox is the author of 12 books, a member of the “First 5” writing team (P31 Ministries), and co-host of the podcast “Your Daily Bible Verse.” The co-director of International Messengers Canada, a non-profit with staff in 31 countries, Grace travels extensively but always returns to her sailboat-home moored near Vancouver, British Columbia. Married in 1982, she and her husband celebrate three grown kids and eleven grandchildren.
Her latest release, Keeping Hope Alive: Devotions for Strength in the Storm, is available wherever Christian books are sold. https://www.hendricksonrose.com/p/keeping-hope-alive/9781649380517
Subscribe to Grace’s weekly devotional blog and monthly update on her website – https://www.gracefox.com/blog
