Praise You in This Storm

If you live in or around Tuscaloosa, you know there are great storms in the area. If you are elsewhere, thats about all there is to the story. The weather is reporting 'severe,' but I'm from the midwest, the land of tornados. So 'severe' to me is a little more significant than a loud boom and bright flash striking. I guess its all relative. It was bad enough to wake me up a few times. Praise God for Saturday mornings when you can just roll around, not having to get up for anything in particular. Thats today...

I woke up this morning more emotional than a typical morning. My own past was weighing heavy on my mind. As the storm was brewing and rain coming down hard, I tuned in to the truth God was speaking. What a sweet parallel that God was whispering, without rain and the dreariness of life, there is no growth, no green, no life. We all want sunny Saturdays. Sunny days to take our kids to soccer practice, lay by the pool or do yard work. We want the sunny life thats care free and without trial. But is that what God wants? Is that really beneficial for us? In that sunny life is there growth or color, fruit or life? So on this rainy stormy Saturday,I praise God for pain even though my flesh runs. I'm thankful for hard moments and lingering pain. For in that pain, there is growth. My prayer, for me and for you, is that we might lean on the promises of faithful scripture.

I remember a few years back I was down in Pass Christian MS. You likely remember the devastating destruction of Hurricane Katrina. I was on my third or fourth trip down and Casting Crowns had recently released a new song. As we drove the coastline and saw concrete slab after slab, the words of the song broke my heart. My face showed my broken heart as tears poured. Rejoice with me knowing that God is in control. He is still God even when we hurt or when life seems to wreck out of control. Praise Him in this storm.

Praise You In This Storm, Casting Crowns

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

Blessings.