Under the Weather

There are two phrases I have heard used quite frequently that are little disconcerting to me. In fact, in my prayer time this morning I used one as I was talking to the Father. I told Him I was feeling under the weather – I didn’t sleep well, I am achy in all my joints and there’s the tummy upset and indigestion.

I felt a prompting to ask you all to pray for me so that my body would be strengthened and I would have the energy I need for today.

I went to look for a picture to use with the blog today and was drawn to the one I took last night. Then it struck me how appropriate this image is.

It had been lightly raining most of the afternoon. The clouds were heavy and the wind currents had positioned them right over our campground. The sky was dark because the clouds were thick and blocked the sun’s light.

The Son is never gone, only briefly out of sight.

The other phrase that annoys me is “under the circumstances”. Have you ever asked someone how they’re doing and the answer comes back “pretty good under the circumstances”? I always want to ask “why are you under your circumstances”.

God’s word promises us that we have been made overcomers. That is a position of victory, a place that is over our circumstances.

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” I John 5:4 ESV

Paul tells us this in Romans 8: “In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:37-39 CEV

We are overcomers and we are victorious in Christ.

If we are under anything let’s be under the shadow of the Almighty and under His wings of protection.

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.
Then you will say to the Lord, “You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God,
and I trust you.” The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure.” Psalm 91:1-4 CEV

Never let the circumstances or the weather put you under.

The Father has set us as overcomers, living under His protection, in a place of security.


We Knew We’d Be Safe…

we prayed!

Those were the words of one of our campers late this afternoon after we endured the most tumultuous thunderstorm of the 2022 season.

Lightning was flashing every three to four seconds and I was counting off the seconds between lightning and thunder. Once I didn’t even have the word “one” out of my mouth when the thunder boomed.

I would count and know that one of the adjacent campgrounds had experienced a hit. And there were the times I counted and knew that our campground had once again experienced a lightning strike.

My prayer was for the safety and peace of all the campers in all the different sites, ours and those around us. Last summer we experienced some horrendous storms but the Lord brought us safely through.

Each time we are faced with these outbursts of nature I am reminded of my Father’s word.

“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.
Then you will say to the Lord, ‘You are my fortress, my place of safety, you are my God,
and I trust you.” The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure.” Psalm 91:1-4 CEV

Last year I had to fight through the fear of such terrible storms. This year I stood confidently victorious in the face of the danger and KNEW beyond any shadow of doubt that I was secure under the shadow of the Almighty.

Noah floated safely above the flood waters; David faced a giant of overwhelming size; Daniel confronted the lions and the Hebrew young men walked through fire without being singed. Peter walked on water; Paul sang in prison at midnight as a storm broke his chains and opened the prison doors; Lazarus was raised from the dead.

Each one knew they would be safe…because we prayed, because we trusted in God’s unfailing word; because we knew God’s promise was to never leave us or abandon us!

“…being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, ‘The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?'” Hebrews 13:5b-6 AMP

When storms threaten, do you set yourself against them? Are they physical, spiritual, financial, emotional – do they threaten to sink your ship or to devour your person?

“Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You [for forgiveness] in a time when You [are near and] may be found; Surely when the great waters [of trial and distressing times] overflow they will not reach [the spirit in] him. You are my hiding place; You, Lord, protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 32:6-7 AMP

Storms are real; adversity is meant to destroy. Face the lions, stand tall in the fiery furnace, defeat your Goliaths, speak to the angry waves.

Let the Father close the mouth of the lions, deliver you from the flames, calm the seas and direct the sling and the stone to destroy the giant.

“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. So always trust the Lord
because he is forever our mighty rock” Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV

Say with confidence “I knew I would be safe, I prayed!”.