Tough Times

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. (Lamentations 3:19, NIV)

Life can be tough. And . . . in the tough times we discover what matters. I talked with two individuals that are going through chemo treatments. One individual has experienced incredible peace, while the other not only has suffered the physical impact of cancer and chemo treatments but, also, crushing anxiety and worry about the future.

How can two people have such different responses in life?

There is not a simple answer; however, at the end of the day we each form a different perspective. In other words, we see life through our personal experience and reality.

The author of Lamentations had seen and remembered the affliction of the people in exile. There had been tremendous loss of life, property, and possessions. The thoughts and responses of the people were dictated by their sufferings. Accordingly, their sufferings were impressed deep within the recess of their thoughts. At some point, the people had felt that God had been silent and distant.

It reminds me of the scene when the disciples were with Jesus during a stormy night on the sea. While they were experienced at sea, the storm at sea had frightened them. So, it must have been an unusually fierce and violent storm. The fierce winds would have been roaring as rain hit them from every side, while the sea pushed and pulled at the boat. Even so, Jesus was asleep on the boat and . . . then . . . there was a striking scene . . . a hold your breath moment . . . and a realization that God is present in the worst storm of their lives


The author of Lamentations had seen and remembered the affliction of the people in exile. There had been tremendous loss of life, property, and possessions. The thoughts and responses of the people were dictated by their suffereings. Accordingly, their sufferings were impressed deep within the recess of their thoughts. At some point, the people had felt that God had been silent and distant.

It reminds me of the scene when the disciples were with Jesus during a stormy night on the sea. While they were experienced at sea, the storm at sea had frightened them. So, it must have been an unusally fierce and violent storm. The fierce winds would have been roaring as rain hit them from every side, while the sea pushed and pulled at the boat. Even so, Jesus was asleep on the boat and . . . then . . . there was a striking scene . . . a hold your breath moment . . . and a realization that God is present in the worst storm of their lives:
24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"
26 But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8, NKJ)

When all is said and done, God is with us.

God will calm the storms of life and bring peace.

Be at peace . . . God is present . . .

Learning with you to remember God is present,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)