As I was driving on a stormy day, the rain poured down and visibility was poor. It was hard to tell how long the storm would last or how far ahead it was of me.

And then it happened. After living in Texas for years, I was caught in my first hail storm. Non stop balls of ice came crashing down in every direction. It was so loud and I was frightened beyond belief. I feared that my windshield would shatter all over me. I couldn’t pull over anywhere and I began crying hysterically.

When would it end? Would I be okay? How much damage would there be on my car? I was alone and I was afraid.

But I knew I had to calm down and keep my focus on the road. I prayed aloud and asked God to protect me. Then, I called my husband and he talked to me the entire car ride.

Eventually, what seemed like an eternity passed and the storm began to clear. When I glanced at the rear view mirror, I could see the dark, ominous clouds behind me. Yet, ahead of me the sun shone brightly.

When I finally arrived home and checked the car, it had dents all over it. But I was fine and I was incredibly grateful.

The car ride had me thinking about life. One moment everything appears to calm and well. The next moment, we find ourselves in a “storm”: diagnosis, broken marriage, loss. It’s overwhelming and frightening. We feel alone and abandoned. Some days it feels like we can’t even come up for air to breathe. It seems like the storm will never end and hope wanes.

Whatever storm you may find yourself in today, know that you are not alone my Friend. God is with you and He will help you. Call out to Him even if all you have are tears and groans. God sees you. He hears you. And reach out to those around you who you know will pray for you and support you. As you keep your eyes fixed on the Lord and trust His sovereignty, I pray that you too will see the day when the intensity of this storm is behind you and you see the blessed hope we have in Jesus. And may those “dents” not only serve as a reminder that through it all God kept you intact, but also to give hope to the hopeless around you.

Psalm 107:28-32 says,
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.”
~Joyce