Calamity
Proverbs 3:25-26, “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.”
Morning friends! May today be a positive, happy and wonderful day! I pray today, even if you have doubts about the outcome, that no matter the calamity that might start around you, you find peace from God. Each of us are subject to disasters of all kinds; heath, economic, political, social, etc. Without even knowing, we are affected individually, and as groups of people. Through those calamities we will experience stages of adjustment which can include shock, anger, depressions and real hopelessness. With God’s help, those moments can be accepted and ultimately, we can move forward away from the bitterness and sadness. We do experience natural calamities also; such as hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; the list goes on. These things are a part of God’s sovereign control, natures way of reflecting or groaning due to the evil that is hurting this world. Which means, the earth and all its inhabitants are affected deeply by the evil that lurks and is destroying us and all that is around us. But, the solution to all calamities is to put our trust, faith, and understanding in God, allowing Him to help us through everything we go through. He is the one who can deliver us when we become distressed. He can reverse devastation and bring spiritual growth and give us the refuge we need. Biblical views say that calamities serve as a “refining fire”; a purifying where God allows some trials and sufferings so we can burn away spiritual impurities; like sin, selfishness, negative actions, etc. Because of the trials, we can turn back to being humble, relying on God’s guidance, love and nurturing. During those sufferings, as we again trust and have faith in God restored, we become transformed, purposeful, and more loving toward ourselves and others. As we focus back on the positive, we can then trust in the true promise that there is an eternal hope; a day when all pain and suffering will end. Today, let’s begin our new outlook on anything that causes calamity. Let’s place all our needs on the one who can ultimately bring peace to our pain!
Scriptures:
Read: Joshua 1:9, Mark 13:7-8, Nahum 1:7, Isaiah 43:2, Matthew 24:4-8,14,29-31, Luke 21:25-28, II Chronicles 7:13-14, II Corinthians 5:1, Romans 12:12, John 16:33, Isaiah 54:10-11, Psalms 18:6, Romans 8:17-18, Zephaniah 3:15-20, II Peter 3:9, Job 1:21-22, Psalms 57:1-2, Philippians 4:13, Amos 4:13, Psalms 107:39-43, Psalms 46:1-11, John 1:1-5, Haggai 2:6-7, Psalms 91:4-5,9-10
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come now thanking you for your peace, your ever-present help that is never-ending. Father, place within us the strength to know that through all things you are the one thing that last, the one that can provide calm in any crisis, peace through conflict, and love us thoroughly. Thank you for the promise of eternity where no pain or sorrow will ever be experienced again. Amen.