In The Middle Of A Storm

I remember once many years ago when I was at school we went on a fishing trip. It was a deep-sea fishing trip. I’d never been on one before. And please allow me to share with you that after this particular experience I never ever went deep-sea fishing again. Ever.

It was a horrible experience.   The seasickness was deeply embedded into my memory. I still remember the trip vividly.   What struck me most was that I was in this difficult situation and there was no way for me to get out of it. I was stuck.  At sea. Literally.

Is it no coincidence then that around this time, as I happened to be recalling this event that I was reading up on some notes about Elijah fleeing from Queen Jezebel?  Jezebel had put a price on his head and Elijah was fearful and anxious for his life so he went and hid in some caves. And it was while he was there that God came and stood by Elijah …

1st Kings Ch19 (9)And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (10)So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword.  I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." (11)Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; (12)and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.(13)So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.

God allowed Elijah to experience a storm, an earthquake, and a wildfire. Then God taught him how to handle these calamities and dangers by listening for the still small voice. He would need to remember this lesson in later years. For God had just taught Elijah the difference between fear and anxiety.  Elijah was anxious for his life but Jezebel was nowhere near him. So God brought on a storm to give Elijah a sense of perspective.

You see, the difference between fear and anxiety is this: - Fear is when we worry about something specific but anxiety is when we worry about everything in general.

A few times in recent years I have had some experiences which can only be described as panic attacks.  I was in a perfectly normal scenario, a theatre, an aeroplane, etc., when all of a sudden I was overcome with the feeling that I needed to get out of there.  I have left several theatres because of this.  On two occasions, it was just as the play or show had started.  As for the occasion on the aeroplane, there was no way for me to get out.  So I decided to try to fall asleep instead.  It worked.

Matthew records Jesus’ words about this matter…

Matthew Ch6 (34) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.  

All this is well and good, and very easy to say to someone when you are not the one having the anxious moments.  But when dark cloud shrouds over your mind, and you start to overheat.  When you start to breath differently.  And it feels like you are breaking out in a cold sweat it’s very hard to listen to this stuff.

But do not think that you are alone in this. Every single one of God’s people suffered from worry, anxiety at one time, or another.  But Jesus has promised us.  He told us to just “concentrate on ‘the now moment’.”  Tomorrow will have a whole new set of circumstances.

In the Old Testament we read of Elijah being anxious for his life.  

And just as God was with Elijah through all of the storm, so God remains with us through our worries, fears and anxiety attacks.  The secret for us to handle it is contained within the passage.  It is at the end of verse 12 and it mentions “….a still small voice…”

Also, Isaiah advises the Children of Israel...

Isaiah Ch30 (20) And though the Lord gives you The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers. (21) Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it,"

God’s Scriptures also continually tell us to stand still, or to hold up during times of adversity.

Exodus Ch14 (13) And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid.  Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD,

2nd Chronicles Ch20 (17)You will not need to fight in this battle.  Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD who is with you,

Psalm Ch46 (10)Be still, and know that I am God;

I believe the reason He tells us to stand still is because sometimes when we try to fix a problem we end up becoming part of the problem itself.

So, let God sort it all out for us.  Why don’t we learn to try and step back and leave things to Him?  Our Bible regularly tells us to….

1st Peter Ch5 (6)Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, (7)casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  

Philippians Ch4 (6)Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7)and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So, the next time you fell anxious about anything, try and remember to pray this simple prayer. I have found it very helpful on a few occasions… “Lord.  Please help me to remember that nothing is going to happen today that you and I can’t handle together.  Amen”.

I need Thee every hour, Most gracious Lord.
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee.
Oh, bless me now, my Saviour. I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, Teach me Thy will.
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee.
Oh, bless me now, my Saviour. I come to Thee.

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