by Amanda Baker
How to Find the CALM in the Storm: Part Three
We have been looking at finding the “CALM” in the midst of the storms of life. So far, we have looked at the need we have to call on the Lord first and to acknowledge that God allowed the storm for our good and for His glory. Today let’s take another step in finding the “CALM” in the storm – we must lean on Him in the midst of the storm. Storms bring with them fierce winds that would seek to blow us off course, to look for something or someone to hold on to
while we weather the gale force winds and the driving rain. Scripture is clear that there isn’t anything or anyone more dependable to lean on and hold to in the storms of life than the Lord Jesus Christ. Oftentimes in the midst of the storm, I find myself trying to figure out how to work out the problem on my own. I seek my own wisdom in how to handle the problem, but that is not the right way to face the winds of the storm. Proverbs 3:5-6 clearly tell us to “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” My leaning must be on the Lord and not on my own understanding. He desires to help me in the midst of the storm. In fact, the Psalmist makes this clear in Psalm 61:1-4: “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.” Leaning on the Lord in the storm is what He desires. The Psalmist is crying out to the Lord here “from the ends of the earth” with an overwhelmed heart. Christ promises to be our rock, shelter, strong tower, tabernacle, and much more. He wants us to come to Him and lean on His strength in the storm. The storms are so much more overwhelming when we try to face the winds on our own. It is interesting to note that the Psalmist often couples this idea of leaning on the Lord with times of prayer. The two go hand in hand. Why not just trust Him in the midst of your storm? Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” God’s Word never tells us to fix the storm. It just points us to call on Him, trust Him, and lean on Him as He takes us through the storm. Will you lean on the Lord as He leads you to the “CALM” in your storm today?