Calm Down

Thursday, October 10, 2024
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Let The Lower Lights Be Burning"1 (Lyrics)

2 Corinthians 12:9 – But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (NIV)

It was a beautiful day in our neck of the woods, so I grabbed my Bible, my study books, my coffee, and a few of my critters to go out to my prayer chair. The sun was beautiful, and a cardinal cheerfully sang, "birdie, birdie, birdie". Ah! It was so good to be out to my prayer chair! I had been out there even in the bad weather and had even knelt in the snow to pray a few times, but actually to be able to sit comfortably was wonderful.

I put my things down, moved the cat that wanted to be on my lap, and opened my Bible. The only problem was that the thin pages of my Bible did not want to stay put because of the breeze that was blowing. I didn't really have the nerve to ask God outright to stop the wind, since it was such a small thing, but I just hinted at it. "Lord, it would sure be nice if that wind stopped for a little while so that I could enjoy my time with You!" Hint, hint!

The wind seemed to whistle even harder across the pages of the Bible, and I was cold. I pulled the collar of my thin coat up around my ears and neck to keep them warm. "It sure is uncomfortable here, Lord. I wish that the wind would die down a bit! I may have to cut this short. I am just not comfortable even with the beautiful sun shining on me," I complained.

At that moment, it was as if the Lord said to me, "Just go get your heavy coat and maybe a hat!" Duh, I thought. He would not stop the wind but He was telling me to go and get the things that He had provided to shelter me from the wind.

Sometimes, He doesn't stop the wind, but instead He gives us what we need to withstand the cold blasts of life. He gives us His Word to encourage us. He gives us brothers and sisters to come alongside us, and He gives us His presence as He hides us there. But rest assured, even when we don't feel Him, when we only feel the cold winds of life, He is there!

You have probably heard the saying, "Sometimes, He doesn't calm the storm — He calms His child." I love that. Many times, I pray for the storms of life to pass me by, but the Lord seems to say, "My grace is sufficient for you even in the midst of the storm. Calm down, My child. I'll hold your hand as you go get a coat!" Praise God!

Prayer: Calm us down, Lord, when the storms of life blow hard. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook

About the author:

Jeanie Nihiser <jnihiserj@gmail.com>
Geneseo, New York, USA

Send your feedback to the author

1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Amen Jeanie!


    Thanks for the encouraging words, Jeanie.


    Thank you. Happy Canadian Thanksgiving.


    Thank you again Jeannie. For such a wonderful devotional.


    So true – Life has many challenges but God comforts and directs us – Faith is key.


    Good morning, Jeanie
    Thank you, I love this. It is so true!!!! Wow!
    God bless.


    Thank you so much for your devotional today! It was very much needed and gave me a new perspective on how God provides for us!
    God bless!
    (SC)


    Good morning, Jeanie,
    I love the way you paint a picture so that I feel I am right there beside you. I like the title you chose because it also paints a picture of acceptance of whatever is going on because God is walking with me.
    May you have many days that you can enjoy your prayer chair. Blessings.


    Oh Jeanie I really enjoyed reading your devotional this morning. It brought back memories of the very windy village I was raised in back in my childhood days. We always wore scarves to keep our hair from blowing up into a mess and rarely could go out without a jacket or sweater on. We surely can be amazed at times how the Lord answers our prayers in an unexpected way but does solve our situation. He is ever ready with the best outcome for us. Blessings for your special writings.


    Hi Jeanie
    Thanks so much for your devotional. I have a special place also talking to God daily. It’s awesome having a place of comfort like that. So true what you said going through cancer treatment but have so much to be thankful for just another hurdle, but God is good his plan is the best even the wind is not slowing down.
    Thanks again for all you guys are doing.


    Thank you so much for this delightful and very helpful answer to my age-old problem, “Why doesn’t God hear me and answer my prayers (right now, and just the way I want)?“ Sometimes God answers and reminds us we have a brain and we just need to go and get a coat and hat and the problem will seem so much smaller or be solved. God does hear and answers. Sometimes in a way we don’t expect.
    You made my day! I always enjoy what you have to say, but this really hit home. Thanks so much again.
    (Ontario)


    Hello Jeanie — I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your devotional today. I have been upset and anxious/worried about the turmoil going on in my son’s life and needless to say NOT feeling “calm”! Your message helped me gain some calmness back and I know that I must trust in God and accept that only He can know how things will turn out in someone’s life as He has a plan for each of us. Thank you for your writing today and the assurance that God may not calm the storm but will calm the child! Blessings,
    (Ont, Canada)


    AMEN, Jeanie.


    Amen and amen! Thanks for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. To God be the glory! Blessings.


    Lessons from the small events in life! Thank God, Jeanie, for the special gift He gave you to see these lessons.

Previous Post
«
Next Post
»
 



PresbyCan is a community of faithful, Holy Spirit-filled, Christ-centred, God-honouring Christians.