As I sat watching the news and weather from this recent hurricane Katrina, I felt the burden for those in New Orleans, Mississippi and even my hometown Alabama.  I felt the presence of the Lord and became teary-eyed as I thought of all of those who had lost everything. I’ll never forget the one scene that sticks to my mind about the man and his wife and grandchildren, who were on top of the roof, and the grandma said to the grandpa, I can’t hold on any longer take care of the grandkids and then she was swept away with the current of the water.   Many residents thanked God they were alive, but many have no home to return to.  I thank God that once again my home was protected.

Like powerful winds and water that shake your house, you can feel uneasy and begin to tire just from the anxiety of the unknown. That is what it feels like in the daily hassles of life. Where is the peace and rest? It is under the shadow of the Almighty. He is the secret place, that shelter from all the storms.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. ² I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. ³ Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. ⁴ He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. ⁵ Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; ⁶ Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. ⁷ A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” Psalms 91 1-7

Think of the enemy as the storm and you are a ship out at sea in the whirlwind of the storm. You are being tossed by the waves, which represent anything that is thrown at you to bring you turmoil. You see a light ahead from the lighthouse, who is Jesus your Rescuer, to guide you to safety. You begin to sense the calm inside of you. The fear leaves, and you have the needed hope to weather this storm and reach your destination. There is no other way to safety. You can’t fight the storms of life without the help of the Lord. He shows you the way. He provides the Holy Spirit for comfort.

Your life might be smooth sailing, but then there might be those who try to make it rough waters. Don’t let any kind of storm rock your boat. Call on the Lord for strength and support. Remind yourself that He is the Captain of your ship.

Weathermen do the best they can to warn people of impending threats to their communities, but it is not always predictable. These storms can hit hard when you least expect it. This certainly reminds me of the devil. He attacks us when we are not aware. We must be on the alert at all times and put our trust in God. It is He who holds our future.

We cannot always be prepared for every storm, hurricane or tornado, but we can have faith in God on a day to day basis. We can be at peace in the midst of any storms in our lives -- the weather kind or the attacks from the devil that are trying to destroy us. Jesus is your rescuer, your deliverer and a high tower.

Jesus spoke to the storms and said "Peace be still." May we use the authority we have as believers in Christ and speak to the storms of life in that same way.  I love the words to that old song that says Peace, Peace, wonderful Peace coming down from the Father above.  Sweep over my spirit for ever I pray in fathomless billows of love.