all understanding

It was another April day... until the winds kicked up and the storms came in. Everyone across Alabama kept the news on waiting and watching, anticipating the storm to come. Did it ever come. Homes destroyed, lives lost and others left to pick up the pieces of what used to be. The death toll continued rising and it became evident that this kind of devastation was record breaking.

He was a young man. A close friend of mine. He watched his dad slowly die of cancer a year ago Friday. The oldest sibling of three, expected to be the man of the family and the glue to hold them together. Left to care for his mother, a broken widow who was left in debt, losing her job as a teacher and living in a hunting camp house in the woods with the memories of his father. A year to the day of his death their home is foreclosed on. A family facing their own storm.

It was Sunday morning. Her Dad called with his voice shaking. "Hey baby, do you love me? No matter what?" She says "yes Dad, of course I love you, what's wrong?"..... "Your mother and I are getting a divorce." The tears start from either side of the phone. "There is another man". The world crashes down around her. Miles away from home she feels helpless and alone. Almost 30 years of marriage gone... a family torn apart by the tornado that has ripped through their lives.

All of these people have one thing in common. Pain. It's the kind of hurt that you feel deep in your chest. Like you have never really felt. Then come the questions.... but God never promised us a life without trouble... He never says that life will have no storms. God actually promises us that we will face these things...

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that you may have peace. In this world YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE. But take heart! I have overcome the world"

God tells us that He will never give us more than we can take. He also tells us if we are burdened to come to Him... and we can have rest. REST. How can someone rest or have peace when they are facing such trials?!?! Through Him. He brings rest and peace.

Philippians 4:7
"...the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"

God tells us to take heart in John.... then in Philippians he says he will guard our hearts. This is how we overcome adversity in life. This is how we make it through the storms and we have peace that passes all understanding. All understanding. Through HIM.