by Victoria Heinecke

God gives us confidence to face our storms.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Hey, who wants to go hiking at Estes Park tomorrow?”

A man posted a shout-out on Instagram, and his friend agreed to join him. It was a sunny morning as they started their hike in the near Rocky Mountain National Park. The day began cloudless and sunny, and the rarefied air felt good as they trekked. Later, they saw low clouds in the distance, but it was soon apparent that this wasn’t a fog.

Within minutes, the weather changed from crisp and sunny to a blowing snowstorm. Fortunately for the men, it wasn’t a severe storm, and they enjoyed the change in the weather as they hiked back towards town.

Sometimes, stormy trials come into our lives like this snowstorm. We may see signs of trouble, and we can see that a change is coming. At other times, the storm may come out of nowhere, blindsiding us by a life-changing event.

“God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.”
Psalm 46:1-2 English Standard Version (ESV)

God’s words in Psalm 46 can offer comfort when difficult times occur in our lives. Those same words, during good times, can give us confidence, an assurance that God has our back no matter what happens in our lives. That assurance gives us the courage to face life daily, like the man in this photo, knowing that God is always with us.

“Then (Jesus) rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?””
Matthew 8:26b-27 ESV

Dear God, Abba Father, thank you for your constant presence in our lives. Help us remember that, at all times, you are there, with us and for us. Calm the storms in our lives when they arise, and protect us until they pass. Give us courage and comfort as we face each new day. Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado