Praise Him In The Storm

I’ve always loved the song “Praise You In This Storm” by Casting Crowns. But it’s meant a lot more to me in the last few years. Storms are part of life for everyone. Right now, you’re either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or getting ready to go into a storm.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things about the storms. Sometimes they are the result of sin in our lives. Sometimes they can be brought on by the actions of other people. And sometimes they have nothing to do with anyone.

One of my biggest storms and most difficult times in my life was brought on by choices I made. And for the longest time, I didn’t ask God to help me through it because I had brought in on myself. But one day I realized that He wanted to help me through that storm anyway! He’s my Father and even when I disappoint Him, He still loves me and is there to hold me and help me get through the storm. So I just turned it over to Him and started to praise Him in the middle of the storm. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” God is all of these things – true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. I had sticky notes of this verse in my bedroom, in my car and at work. I would read it and just praise God. He is the only One who is always true. He will never lie to you. He always keeps His promises. He will never leave you. He will never stop loving you. You can always count on Him. People will hurt you, whether they intend to or not. People will decide one day that they just don’t love you anymore and leave. But God! He love you with an everlasting love and He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother and He is a good, good Father.

Now losing my parents was a totally different kind of hurt and I admit it was harder to praise God in those storms. I praise Him because I know they were both saved and they are in Heaven. I praise Him because I know they are both healthy and whole again. And I praise Him because I know I will see them again. But my heart still hurts because I just miss them so much and I want them here with me. But I will still praise God in this storm of grief.