PLYMOUTH – I recently heard someone say that during a stressful situation, as Jesus followers we should be the calmest person in the room. Why? Because we know that God is in control. He is Sovereign. He is the Creator and Sustainer of life.
I don’t know why I have to remind myself to call out to God for help during moments of fear or frustration instead of it being a spiritual muscle memory response. But God pours out a promise on us in His Word, Psalm 34:4, "I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears."
This month we’ll celebrate our mothers. As moms, we set the example for our families. Our children, other family members, and friends all unintentionally observe and evaluate how we handle difficult times as Jesus- following women. Is the way I express stress and frustration what a true disciple of Christ should be exhibiting? Not always…
I remember well when my husband, Tony, and I were working as IMB missionaries to France and one of my adult children was going through something horrible with her husband and 3 young children. My heart was broken for them. We did everything we could over the phone, praying, and crying with our daughter. I felt shattered and struggled not to rush back to the US to ‘fix’ things. I felt panicky and out of control. But God, full of love and grace for both me and our daughter, poured out Scripture verses that covered my heart like a gentle balm:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22
God used that time in my life to deepen my trust and show me how completely dependent I need to be on Him. He cares about our sorrows, frustrations, and stresses. Psalm 94:18-19 gave me a firm foundation to stand on when I felt my world crumbling:
When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
My daughter leaned on a church’s small group to help her grow strong as she overcame the crisis with God’s help and wisdom. I love the verse from Psalm 94:22,
"But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge."
Why would I ever want to go through the storms in my life without His help and guidance?
I’ve been able to help others with what God taught me during that crisis and many others that I’ve had since then. But God in His mercy had me share with other mothers that were sinking in despair, how God calmed and strengthened me during my rough times. Keeping our hearts tuned to God is difficult when the struggle seems bigger than our Savior.
God is calling us to live our lives as women of God, totally reliant on Him. May our lives be a strength and encouragement to those around us, always pointing them to God and asking for forgiveness when we mess up. May we serve everyone who the Lord brings into our path, including our precious families. May our hearts be ever learning to love and obey the Lord more. When the crazy storms of life come our way, may we be the calmest person in the room.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jamie Lynn is the Communications Director for the BSCM. Jamie loves working for the Michigan churches at the State Convention Office. She is married to Dr. Tony Lynn, State Director of Missions and enthusiastic follower of Jesus Christ. They have 3 married children and 9 amazing grandchildren.