Look Again! Learning to See God in the Midst of the StormSample

When it Looks like Hope is Lost, Find Your Hope in God

Have you ever driven through a storm? One of the hardest things to do in the middle of a bad storm is to see everything clearly. In those times, driving instructors would advise you to drive slower than normal and make sure your lights and windshield wipers are on. Sure, you have driven before, and maybe you are going somewhere that you have gone to before, but during a storm, you must take a few extra steps to see clearly.

The same thing happens in your life. There are times when the storms of life seem to be extra heavy. During those times it can be harder to see and hear God. I am sure when the disciples were walking side by side with Jesus it was easy to see Him hear Him, but when the storm came, and He was being carried away to the cross it became a lot more difficult.

Sometimes we just need a little bit of extra help to see Him. I learned this during one of the biggest storms of my life. It looked like all hope was lost, but I heard this whisper that beckoned me to look again. As I looked again (and this time looked for God), I realized all hope was not lost because God was not lost! In today’s reading from Psalm 23, King David recognizes that God is with him in the darkest valley. Let King David’s testimony be a reminder that God is also with you in life’s challenges. So today I pray that you hear that whisper beckoning you to look again. I pray that each day your vision gets a little clearer and you begin to see the hand of God and the hope that He brings even during all you are going through.

Together, for the next few days, we will be adjusting our vision to see God moving in our life even during the storm. The pain may feel unbearable, but God is here! Life may not look as you expected, but God is here! Everything may feel like it’s crumbling, but God is here! You may feel alone, but God is here!

Reflection questions:

1. What do you know to be true about God being our hope?
2. How do you see the hope of God in your most difficult moments?
3. How do you see the hope of God in your life right now?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help us to see you as our hope. Our circumstances may seem hopeless, but the truth is wherever you are there is hope. Help us to see you in the midst of the storm. In Jesus' name, Amen!