Life in the Storm

By Martha Mazza

The power of Life
in the storm,

Nearing its edge
Yet feeling His hand,

Its spray

Bearing points
Of agitation,

God strengthening
My heart to endure
Its pelting,

breaking, yet reinforcing,

The cover of His wing
Protecting, arranging

For His good outcome,

Changing my heart
To ultimately cling to Him,

In the power of the storm
There is Life,

Unfolding, building, rising
According to His plan

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to is eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

1 Peter 5:10-11

My husband and I were visiting Acadia National Park in Maine when I took this shot. I did not know who they were; I just wanted to capture this sweet moment. This picture perfectly displays the relationship we are to have with God — the son clinging to his father; the father protecting his son. 

The spray reminds me of the storms in life. How they seem to appear out of nowhere startling me, precipitating me to handle them on my own. Every little drop of spray, whether it’s a circumstance or a relationship, a point of agitation provoking me to respond in a way that terminates its pelting. 

I have handled life like this for many years with poor results, reacting in ways that destroy relationships, and the joy inside. God has shown me that life goes much smoother and happier when I focus and depend on Him. 

I have learned that whatever person or event, good or bad is in my day, it is a gift from God. Each day includes blessings, pit stops, frustrations and detours. The difference is in how I respond. I have chosen to see what God has in them and depend on Him to show me an appropriate response. 

When I turn to God I usually have to endure waiting. His timing is rarely mine. But His timing is perfect in His plans for me, for He knows how to arrange my life to create the change He wants. I have learned that waiting is not useless, for in the wait I gain a different perspective. And in the wait He increases the endurance of my heart and breaks me from my selfish ways. He works in me, showing me how to respond differently, lovingly. 

God does not necessarily fix my problem, but He changes my perspective in the problem, to see life from His perspective in The Larger Story, instead of from my perspective in my smaller story. 

In what ways do you respond to the storms in your life? What is He teaching you in them?