Stormy Weather..

They are predicting storms today. High winds. rain, and a possibility of tornadoes. Don’t misunderstand I love a rainy day, one where I can tuck under a cute umbrella and splash my way to the bakery. But I’m not big on sirens, crashing limbs, and taking refuge in the basement.

I remember peering out our front window years ago when a flash of lightning split the cherry tree in half ten-feet from where I stood. How do you spell “Jump Back?” Could this be one reason why we should NOT stand by windows during storms?

Storms teach us rules like: Don’t take refuge under a tree. Don’t stand near metal buildings or poles. Don’t go near fallen power lines.

Storms in our emotional life teach us lessons as well: Emotions can thunder and arrive lightning-fast. Emotions are not always honest, accurate, or even reasonable. God designed us with a will that is stronger than our feelings so we can overrule faulty emotional information.

And while emotions can be vitally important and enhancing I think I’ll have a siren installed to warn me when I’m about to trust my emotions to think for me. Big mistake. My friend Marilyn succinctly says, “Emotions don’t have brains!” Amen.

Storm clouds in your vicinity? Take refuge in Jesus. Stand on His steady promises. Draw on His enduring strength.

14 Comments

  1. April Hawkins on April 4, 2011 at 11:58 am

    He IS my shelter in ALL kinds of weather!

    Reply
    • Anita on April 4, 2011 at 7:51 pm

      Love this !

      Reply
  2. Gloria Wirhowski on April 4, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    Thanks Patsy…I needed that reminder.
    “Emotions are not always honest, accurate, or even reasonable. God designed us with a will that is stronger than our feelings so we can overrule faulty emotional information. “

    Reply
  3. Jennifer Eiland on April 4, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Oh Patsy how I needed this today!!!! I have been sitting here in a hospital all weekend with my husband. He’s only 43 but had symptoms of a possible heart attack. We’ve been waiting all weekend for answers and tests so we would know how his heart is. Needless to say, I’ve been in a STORM all weekend. I’ve prayed hard and ask for prayers from all of my facebook friends. I have had to calm myself down and get my emotions in check so this really hit home for me!!!! Thank you for such a blessing.

    Love,
    Jennifer

    Reply
  4. Donna Bucher on April 4, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    I so needed this lesson today!!! I am having a problem trying to keep my emotions at bay, and you are soooo right….they have no brain!!! My problems are marital and seems like never ending! I will survive though with the help of Jesus!!
    Thanks again Patsy, your words are wonderful!!

    Reply
  5. Rhonda on April 4, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    Thank you for this, ESPECIALLY today! I find it incredibly encouraging as I face one of the biggest storms in my life and am flooded with emotions. Today in the midst of this turmoil, I’m going to choose to stand on His promises and draw from His strength for sure. Thank you for your encouraging words…they are always so perfect. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Linda Martinez on April 4, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    Oh Patsy, emotion’s have been hitting me each day INFACT 3 days last week I was in a rocking boat of my own tears (LOL) well no I wasn’t laughing then. But; boy do I need that reminder that JESUS IS OUR REFUGE, HE IS OUR STRENGHT in the STORMS! I will also remember not to stand in front of the window in a storm 🙂 thank you for your wonderful insight and always a smile 🙂

    Reply
  7. Da a Kruckenberg on April 4, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    Patsy, glad to find out about your blog.

    I’ve been enjoying your appearances on Focus on the Family and your books since the 1980’s. You really have the joy of the Lord.

    Perhaps you might find a minute to peruse my daily blog Today’s Project, where I encourage believers to rejoice and go forward in Christ, despite trials, such as my husband Steve’s Early-onset Alzheimers.
    http://www.krucke4jc.blogspot.com

    Thank you for your ministry!
    Dana

    Reply
  8. Danya on April 4, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    He is our STRENGTH in times of trouble!

    Reply
  9. Lucy LeForge on April 4, 2011 at 1:55 pm

    We have weathered the storm of cancer, surgery and Chemotherapy with God’s help. Celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary and planning on as many more as He allows. Agree it is best not to let our bad emotions rule our lives, but do enjoy the good ones as they come.

    Reply
  10. April Hawkins on April 4, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    Thanks for visiting my site. If you visited it in the last hour or so and it seemed to make sense…somehow it got scrambled up. But, I have it all unscrambled and fixed now and I am still SMILING!! May want to check it out again.

    Smiles and blessings to you. Love reading your post!

    Reply
  11. Kathleen on April 4, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    I think we all need reminded at times that our emotions are just that and they don’t think for us. Jesus will help us with all emotions, good and bad.

    Reply
  12. Sherri on April 4, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    Thanks Patsy. I needed your wisdom. Always love hearing what you have to share.

    Reply
  13. Deb. on April 5, 2011 at 1:42 pm

    Patsy,
    Reading this post maked me smile!
    You see, I serve in Niger . . . one of the hottest, driest places on earth. It a rough place, to say the least, and I have been fighting that battle against emotions . . . and the Lord is meeting me!
    Yesterday was my birthday and for weeks I’ve been telling Jesus that the only thing I wanted as a gift was some rain. It’s hot season, which means ‘dry season’ too . . . so this was asking for a miracle. And while there was no rain yesterday, it sprinkled a little bit today! Sure, it’s no storm . . . but I am taking this little shower as a big reminder of our Lord’s faithfulness . . . that He fulfills His promises and doesn’t leave us alone during physical or proverbial thunder and lightning.

    Reply

Leave a Comment