Sitting still in the storm.

As a child during thunderstorms, my mother would instruct my brother and I to sit still and be quiet, because this was the time God was thinking. Granted, as an adult, I believe that my mother was just telling us that to get her own time of peace and quiet; but we listened. We remained quiet, and still. We didn't run for shelter in the couch pillows, hide in the closets to avoid the storm, and we didn't even cry in fear; because we understood that just like we needed the sun for "playtime", God needed the rain for peace and thinking time.

What if we tackled all storms in that way? Instead of running for refuge during our difficult times, how about trying to sit still and overcome it? Now, I'm not suggesting that you have a tea party outside while a tornado zooms your way, but I am suggesting that running away is not always the solution.

I moved to Florence, AL a year and 4 months ago, with no friends and just 3 cousins for support. Day 1 I called home and cried, while having to listen to the "I told you so's" of those who didn't support my decision to move anyways. This cycle repeated throughout my time here in Florence. I just couldn't understand how me being faithful to what God had asked me to do, would lead me to losing friends, relationships, and comfort, to gain in my eyes, nothing. I often found myself frustrated and even asking God on many occasions "Why would you do this? I've lost more than I've gained! Why?!", and constantly hearing "Just trust me and know that I am God.".

Now, I thought about moving back home daily. The initial plan was to put my 6months in with the company I was working for, and transfer home; but God directed me to a different path. 6 months in, I signed my lease to my first apartment after living with my cousins since arriving in Florence. 

Let me be honest, I thought me obeying God by moving to Florence and trusting Him was going to lead me to every blessing I had been praying for. In my eyes, Florence held the place where I would find my spouse, my happiness, and my testimony. I imagined coming home and delivering my testimony of moving hours away to find my Boaz, and giving people hope in knowing that God blesses obedience. Well..... It didn't quite work that way.

Although I casually dated people from the surrounding cities, they were in no way my Boaz. I often found myself frustrated with God for being misleading to get me to Florece, but eventually I remembered that God DOES rewards obedience, just not on our time schedule. 

What I found in Florence while sitting still during my many storms were so much bigger than my initial plans. 

For the first time in my life, I lived alone. I worshipped alone. I made it alone! The storm I sat through was the storm of loneliness; which to me, was the  equivalent to Hurricane Katrina. I feared being alone, and that is exactly the storm I found myself in.

During that storm, I found myself. I discovered my purpose. I prayed more than ever! And I did this all, by not running from the storm.

At one point, I was willing to run; willing to throw in the towel and give up, but God remained perfect in my weakness. No matter how much I prayed for distractions to deter me from His plans for me, he wouldn't deliver. His love is just that amazing!. He refused to "bless me with a curse". 

Just think, I would have never gotten to this point had I not sat still during the storm.

What storm are you running from right now? What are you hiding from in fear of facing it? It could be living single, living unhappily married, or just living and not enjoying life. Today, I challenge you to stop running and sit during the storm. Trust God, and trust yourself. You'll get there!