In the Eye of the Storm

 

storm-1

Pounding hard, my heart felt like it was going to explode from my chest.  Cold sweat trickled down my spine as I tried to understand what the doctor was telling me.  My mind was swirling and spinning as I tried to grasp what was going on inside of my body. Because my thyroid was dumping dangerous amounts of hormones into my blood, it elevated my heart rate and blood pressure to alarming levels.  My thyroid had created a life threatening storm inside my body and my doctor determined the best place for me to be was in the hospital.

Once we were at the hospital, a nurse checked my vitals, and she shouted , “holy cr**”, and ran from the room.  Troy and I looked at each other and I grabbed his hand.  I knew it was serious but at that moment I began to understand my life could be in danger.  Silently in my mind I prayed over and over again, help me Jesus.    They decided the ICU was the best place to monitor my heart, I was under constant supervision.  While the watchful eye of the hospital staff brought me comfort in the knowledge if my heart needed attention quickly, they could there instantly.  Surrounded by God’s perfect peace, I was able to rest in the capable hands of God.  Eventually, my endocrine system calmed down and I was able to go home, to my precious boys and my loving husband.

Storms are difficult to navigate through because you have no control over what happens.  We were able to go out on a fishing expedition in the Gulf of Mexico.  Before we boarded the 100 passenger boat they warned us the trip could be rough, and if we wanted to reschedule we could.  It was our last day of vacation and we wanted to continue with our plans.  The waves were 6 – 8 feet high. Clamoring through my mind, fear had taken all of my sane thoughts captive and replaced them with nightmare scenarios.  Staggering along the deck trying to grasp onto the railing, hands or shoulders of the people along the side of the boat, I felt relieved to reach my destination of the restroom.  I grasped the bathroom door handle and held on for dear life as I entered into the room.  I will spare you the details of the adventure I encountered using the bathroom.   Eventually, we were able to fish and my thoughts returned to normal.  While it wasn’t a storm, I can only imagine what it must be like to weather a storm in a small boat.

When the battles of life are weighing heavy upon our hearts, we can grow weary even if we are in the eye of the storm.  Hurricane Matthew has left a path of destruction and devastation.  Because of technology we could watch the storm and track it and we could see the eye of the storm.   In those moments you receive a brief respite from the howling and horrific winds, you began to develop a false sense of safety.  Sadly, you discover the storm is not over.

Tragically we do not have radar to help us prepare to know when the storms in our lives will arrive.  Technology is not advanced enough to prepare us for unexpected job loss, death, infidelity, loss of friendship, illness, and we could add many more life upheavals to this list. Trials, tribulations, and tests beyond our understanding, will be a part of our life.  Friends, I wish I could tell you as a Christian you will be exempt from troubles.  Within God’s word, Jesus warns us we will have sorrow.   “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

The storms of life can catch you unexpectedly and you quickly realize you cannot control anything.  I love these reminders in Isaiah 43: 1-2

But now thus says the Lord,

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

 

In closing, I would love to share with you one of my favorite song, In the Eye of the Storm.