Last week I wrote a rather lighthearted piece about anxiety in the face of natural disasters (Why Worry?). While I fully believe all God’s promises that I quoted in that piece, I was reminded over the weekend that we face things far more painful, far more devastating than tornadoes. You see, a dear friend has just put her husband of nearly 50 years under hospice care.
His last few weeks or months are likely to be the most difficult the family has ever faced. They will have to draw strength from their faith in ways they never have before. They will have to lean on the everlasting arms as their own strength grows dim, as sorrow overwhelms them.
But I’m also confident that the everlasting God will not leave them nor forsake them. Here are just a few of the promises they can cling to in the coming days:
I don’t know what you may be facing right now. Maybe you are sitting watch over a dying loved one. Maybe you are facing your own death, or perhaps a devastating illness. Maybe you have suffered some other loss that has you reeling.
I would remind you of the story in Matthew 14:22-33. The disciples were in a boat in the middle of a storm. Suddenly they saw Jesus walking toward them on the water. They were terrified, but Jesus encouraged them to “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (v. 27). Then, of course, impetuous Peter wanted to walk on the water as well. He stepped out of the boat and onto the water. He was fine as long as he focused on Jesus, but as soon as his focus changed to the storm, he began to sink. What happened? “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him” (v. 31).
That same Jesus walks beside you today as you are going through your own storm. Keep your eyes on Him. Don’t let the storm distract you. Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), is holding out His hand to catch you.