Clearer in Hard Times

By thunder, friend, come on in here on this ol’ front porch. You’ve shown up at the right time because I’m certain you must’ve caught that wonderful smell of fresh, warm cobbler driftin’ all around you. Mercy, it’s really good to see you. Now, pull up that ol’ rocker right there, the one that squeaks louder than a gossipin’ blue jay, and settle yourself in. Look out yonder at that plump ol’ raccoon sittin’ on the fence rail like it is waitin’ for the choir to start singin’ any minute now. If that sight don’t make you to git grinnin’ just a lil’ bit, it sho’-nuff’ oughta be remindin’ us that God sprinkles humor right in the middle of life’s hardest moments, just to let us know He’s still real close.

Today we’re sittin’ with Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those that are crushed in spirit.” And Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way. Walk in it.’” Friend, that there’s God’s way of sayin’, “I am not just near you in the storm. I am speakin’ right through it.”

Now, let’s run off that curious lil’ ol’ mouse over there that wandered up here lookin’ for a front row seat and git right to the heart of it. You ever notice how when life is smooth as fresh churned butter, we tend to coast along? We get mighty comfortable. We stop listenin’ as closely because we don’t feel the urgency. But let a storm roll in, let a diagnosis land real heavy, let a job slip away, or let a relationship crumble like a stale biscuit, and suddenly, we’re on our knees faster than a startled ol’ billy goat. Suddenly, we’re in the Word. Suddenly, we’re cryin’ out to God with every ounce of strength we have. Suddenly, we’re listenin’, really listenin’, for His voice.

Psalm 119:67 says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.” God plum knows storms sharpen our ears. He’s not punishin’ us. He’s positionin’ us. He’s movin’ us to the place where His whisper becomes clearer than the clatter of everything else. If you’re in a difficult season right now, don’t waste it. Your spiritual sensitivity is heightened. Your heart is open. Your ears are tuned to His frequency. The storm ain’t blockin God’s voice. It might be the very thing helpin’ you to git to hearin’ it.

And here’s somethin’ that’s mighty comforting. Job 36:15 says, “But those that suffer He delivers in their suffering. He speaks to them in their affliction.” Friend, that there means God is not whisperin’ from far away. He’s plum speakin right through the thunder, right through the tears, and right through the mess you never asked for.

Father, help me hear You clearly in every storm. Teach me to lean in close when life gets heavy. Let Your voice guide me, steady me, and comfort me. Draw me near to You and let Your truth rise above every fear. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Alright now, friend, as you cart this here truth on into your day, let God’s nearness git to settlin’ deep down in your heart like a real warm quilt laid across your shoulders on a real cool evenin’. Let His voice guide you like a steady lantern glowin’ along a shadowy trail. Let His comfort lift you like a gentle breeze movin’ through tall pines. And remember, storms may git to roarin’ like a cranky lil’ ol’ rooster, but they can’t drown out the God that speaks right through the wind, right through the worry, and right into the depths of your soul.

With joy,

Gwen