I've been going through a tough time lately.
I've wished for calm waters and smooth sailing.
Photo courtesy of SportmansHabitat.com
Instead, events in my life and the state of my heart have combined to form the perfect storm.
In the midst of the storm, I ran across a nugget of wisdom I want to share. I hope it will help you as much as it's helped me this week.
From The Me I Want To Be by John Ortberg:
Peace doesn't come from finding a lake with no storms.
It comes from having Jesus in the boat.
Do you ever have times like this?
Such meaning and words of wisdom packed in a small post. Thanks for sharing that quote. I'll add you to my prayers.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs to you today, friend! :) Can't wait til I can make it down to NC to give you a real hug. :)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean. I can't tell you how many times in my life I prayed for calm waters & the Lord gently reminded me that he was calming ME (not the waters) while *in* the storm. You're in my prayers sweet friend. Praying for His perfect love & peace to comfort & guide you during this season.
ReplyDeleteI've had a rough week myself. I'll be praying for you..for God's peace and comfort for you.
ReplyDeleteLove the quote..I copied it..I have another friend who needs to read it too!
Have a Blessed Day!
Sending you a giant hug during your trying time. I have been going thru a little bit of a hard time too and I pray that we both come out of it on the other end. Praying for you my friend.
ReplyDeleteWhat an encouraging quote! Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteRichella, I know exactly what you mean. I have dealt with a health issue for some time and it has taken its toil on me, but I know that God is in it. I just have to remind myself over and over. I am praying for your storm to end soon. Until then...keep Jesus in the boat! God Bless. Carla
ReplyDeleteThis truly is a very comforting quote. Thank you for sharing. I think all of us go through times at some points in our lives when we need to be reminded of this. My daughter is going through a lot right now and of course I suffer because she is hurting. I will pass this on to her and say a prayer for you also.
ReplyDeleteDonna
A wonderful quote. Thank you for sharing your heart today. Peace to you in the midst of the storm!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful words. So sorry you are going through a tough time. Praying for you!
ReplyDeleteMe too. I understand Richella. I'm praying for both of us.
ReplyDeleteI am there. Right now. In the middle of it all. It's been a rough two months. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteEvery day. The quote is perfect and reminds me that strength comes from leaning on faith to get through the rough patches. Know that you're in my prayers, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteI was just surfing randomly through blogs on "Blogtopsites" and landed here - and found a quotation by my favourite writer and from my favourite book framed in the latest post. <3
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it's not nice to be in the middle of a storm, and it's not easy, and I think I've had my fair amount of them so far, but when the storm is over and you get some perspective with time, you always notice that you've learned something or you've grown somehow.
Richella, I'm so sorry that you're going through a tough time, but I'm right there with you. Thank you for reaching beyond your own troubles and taking time to encourage the rest of us. That's so like you!
ReplyDeleteRichella
ReplyDelete2010 was a faith-testing year for us. We almost lost our 23 year old daughter while waiting on a new heart. But what an incredible journey that God gave us, with Him by our sides the entire way. A verse He gave me one morning was a strong reminder for me every day. I reached the book of Lamentations that morning and did not want that book; didn't want to lament any more. But God took me to the 3rd chapter, verses 21-23, in the NIV. Oh my, did the Word speak to me. "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." The word that popped out at me was "consumed". We could have been consumed. Many thought that we would be. But He didn't allow that to happen; His mercies never ceased, but began afresh every morning (as another version says!) I went back later and read the whole chapter; it's amazing. Anyway, I say all that to say that God knows your hurt and your needs, and He cares. He will not allow you to be consumed. I'm breathing prayers for you as I write this, and will continue to do so as He prompts. ~kathie
Cyber-hug to you today sweet friend. I've been there...am there this week. I love that quote and need to tuck it away for myself. You are loved!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry your going through a difficult time. Praying for you right now! Just remember, this too shall pass. HUGS to you!
ReplyDelete{{{{Richella}}} virtual hug for a friend that is hurting. Thank you for sharing about your heart so we can all pray with you. <3
ReplyDeleteI can so relate. We have been going through a tough time for almost 4 years.... I am sorry you are in the midst of a storm. I will pray for your peace, for you to rest in Him. Most of the time I feel like I am truly doing that. My difficulty comes from my husband's up and down emotions through the storm and trials. I pray for him to have that peace, too. Hugs! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteSorry you are going through a rough time. I love the "nugget". It made me smile as it is oh so true!
ReplyDeleteJeannette
Love that book and I remember sitting with the same quote when we went through it! Will pray. Hope your day is sweet today.
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog to perfect my English and your post or so great, full of very usefull info! I hope things will get smoother for you soon. Take care.
ReplyDeleteSo true Richella! I am passing this on today cuz it is such a good reminder for all of us!
ReplyDeleteI am going to check out this book.
Thanks,
Linda
I am going through one right now but I know that is these times of testing in our life that make us stronger and teach us valuable lessons even though it is hard when we are in the midst of the storm. I will keep you in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteYES!! It was in the depths of my storm that God whispered in my eat..."Be still & know that I AM GOD" Be still?? The last thing I was, was still & I realized that the more anxious I was the more I allowed my earthly self to take over & my Christian self to fade. Once I was "still" & let God be God, His peace filled me & I found rest in His arms.
ReplyDeleteKim B.
Richella~ I am so sorry you are going through a rough time. Sending hugs to you...
ReplyDeleteI love this quote though and may ask you to share it for an upcoming courage for the week? Sometimes I find myself asking, "master, carest thou not that I perish??" but he always brings the peace...
So sorry to hear things aren't going well right now. But I have to say, I appreciate your honesty. I have been very frustrated and disappointed over a situation in my life lately, and it's hard to trust that He's actually in the boat with me. I'm working on it. The trust thing. It's hard.
ReplyDeleteSending hugs to you, Richella! When it rains it pours, does it not? I am sort of in the same boat at the moment - lots of real life stuff going on. I remember that Jesus is in the boat but I tend to want to take over the driving of the boat! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you are going through a rough patch and hope that things will soon be better for you. Sending you a big hug...(((Richella)))
ReplyDeleteI am in that place where struggle meets hope and it's a difficult choose to select hope. I'll hold that quote close. (And, I just held you close in prayer.)
ReplyDeleteOh, honey, I can't count the times I've had like that! Wishing we could curl up in a couple of big comfy chairs by a big comfy fire with a couple of big comfy coffee cups and jut encourage each other. : ) Love your sweet heart!
ReplyDeleteThat is a fantastic quote! Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteI have read that book twice. I always see something new in it that stands out. I love that. Thank you for sharing that! So true! (I also love how he refers to growth as becoming 'you-er' =)
ReplyDeletexoxo
ReplyDeletewish i had read this earlier... so i could have been praying! but i know Jesus in your boat. He always is ya know... sometimes we choose not to turn around and see Him.
love to you :)
Praying for you and sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear that you have been going through a difficult time, and I hope that things improve soon!
ReplyDeleteRichella let me know if I can do ANYTHING!! I'll be praying for you.
ReplyDeleteDo you have my #
I can give it to you if you need to talk.
Blessings,
Cyndi
I appreciate this post so very much. I was just browsing blogs when I started to feel that everyone is on their a-game, with monday projects and giveaways and I haven't even gotten my monday post together yet. It's been a rough day- then I stumbled across this post and I felt that little glimmer of hope:) thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhen it rains, it pours! Hoping all calms down for you soon!
ReplyDeleteI'm having a time like this right now. (((Hugs)))
ReplyDeleteI needed to hear this today. :)
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