Not Again!
by Tanya Person
Just six weeks have passed since Florida was hit by Hurricane Ian. There are still fallen trees and branches in many areas that have not been cleaned up yet, because it is such a big task. As I am writing this, we are tracking another storm, Nicole, which is heading toward Florida. Every few hours the prediction about the direction the storm will go changes. The thought came into my mind, “Not again!” This storm is smaller than Ian was. It is coming from a different direction. It is a different storm. But still I wonder how we will manage if we get hit again.
And then I heard that still small voice reminding me to take it a day at a time. Yes, we may need to do some things to prepare physically, but I won’t help anything or anyone if I worry about what is going to happen.
I also remembered the verse in 1 Corinthians 10:13 which says, ‘No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.’ The storm isn’t exactly what I think of as a temptation, but if He won’t let me be tempted beyond what I can bear, then I believe whatever trials I face in life, He will not give me more than I can bear, and He will provide a way so that I can endure it.
By the time this is published, the current storm will be passed. Storms come and go. Other storms will definitely come, but I can keep my focus on Jesus and trust Him to get me through the storm. And if He does this for physical storms in our lives, He will also do the same for the emotional storms in our lives.
I encourage you (and myself!) to look to Jesus. Trust Him to get you through whatever storms you are facing today, and don’t worry about what may, or may not, hit you tomorrow.
Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.
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