As I am writing this article for October’s newsletter, images of hurricane Florence and the devastation she caused in both Carolinas are still vivid on my mind. Even though I was lucky not to loose electricity or experienced flood in my community, I know that some of you experienced that.  As I was watching neighborhoods flooding, National Guards and Firefighters saving lives, I was reminded of Isaiah 43 and the promise God gave to His children.

Here are God’s words of  promise to us when we are afraid or feel uncertainty about anything, “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, 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” (Isaiah 43:1-2). Fear can cripple our faith when we allow it to rule our lives.

We face different types of storms in our lives and sometimes we can feel overwhelmed.  The word fear not is at least repeated 365 times in the Bible. God intends to encourage his children not to fear every single day. Even though we are reminded not to worry or fear we still do that because is part of our human nature. Whatever storm you are experiencing, give it to God so that God will do what God does best, which is calming the storm. Do not let the intensity of the storm paralyze you spiritual eyes and ears, but be open to the guidance of God’s Spirit. Use your spiritual eyes to see what can be seen through faith. Furthermore, use your spiritual ears to hear what can only be heard when we are closer to God. Remember that Jesus who calmed the storm lives in you. He knows your name, your address and every single hair on your head.

 

-Pastor Justice