The blast brought troubles in cycles
Threatening peace, it swept safety away.
I was submerged in dusts of afflictions
As countless pieces of worries clouded my eyes
Making smile impossible, crying a torture.
Lifted to vicious heights, I clung to faltering faith;
Flailing, feeling forsaken, forgotten.
Penetrating the iron gates of calamities
That still small voice came to me, “Lo, I AM with you….”
Cooling sweats of relief made the dust sticky
I grumbled in the rubbles but He whispered
“Hold on, no storm lasts forever. . . .”
It shook all shakable, I lost every losable
But comfort overtook disappointments to counsel
“Hold tight, don’t abandon faith in a storm.”
Tired, my wobbling mind began to wander
And wisdom warned, “Not all lost are found.
Take charge, you are not a thermostat!”
“How can I?” I lamented, “I am small and weak and . . . ,”
“Don’t fabricate excuses,” He hushed
“Construct firm and robust praises instead
Paint elaborately with colorful worship:
They are spirit lifters, storm silencers
And when you don’t know, be still and know. . . ,
Storms and all bow to the Sovereign authority
Of one Master, the Maker, your Father:
Be still and know . . . , peace be still.”
I wrote this poem in 2008 while going through a very trying time. In the middle of the storm, I had decided to switch off and set my face to seek the Lord like never before. It was when I returned that the rage of that storm dawned. Had I looked on the circumstances, I would have gone with the wind. I guess I had been through so much I was bent on not being dragged out of the rest I knew He had given at such a delicate time, unwilling to trade that inner peace that preserves sanity in the midst of chaos. At the time, I really can’t say if it was out of plain old habit or because I had no other choice, I just hung in there, holding tighter on Him. Looking back now, I know He kept me.
I have seen too much of God to let storms and circumstances define and redefine my life, values and attitude. Even when my heart was bleeding, my face remained cheerful because I had God, I had hope – that every storm comes to pass and each passage makes me stronger and richer. The best poems and articles I have written till date were accomplished while riding with Him in storms. The more I am struck, the tighter I cling to Him: looking through His eyes, into the eye of that storm, I confessed, “Except He slays me, I shall wait until my change comes!”
From least expected sources, when it seemed it was all over, He stretched out His right hand of power to deliver from things seemingly too great for me. God multiplied grace and peace, tuned my heart to singing, set my feet on dancing, filled my mouths with laughter, and gave me rest on every side. Weeping turned to hollering praises and glory and honor and power forever to the high and lofty One, who inhabits eternity yet rules the affairs of men.
I am who I am today because of those experiences. Unpleasant as they seemed then, the blessing and wisdom derived have made me the person I am today. The harvest of those experiences have saved me much tears and the losses then weigh as speck on the scales of the gains I have made so far. I don’t know what you are going through right now but God knows. It may seem so severe today but give it time, add grace and patience to it: time tempers all. He that keeps you neither sleeps nor slumbers. He is not slack concerning His promises. Whatever He has given cannot be denied you. It may take a while but be rest assured that nothing and nobody can stop it. Though it seems adversities are winning, be not anxious, trust in His ability to deliver to the uttermost, those who rely on His help. Besides, God is never beaten on timing! He may appear late on your time piece but God is ever on time. Save all the unprofitable worries and enjoy His peace in your storm.
Glory!