Day 19

Shelter in the Storm

Reflection

Storms come in many different forms. For certain individuals, the storm may manifest as an unexpected illness or an unfavorable medical diagnosis. For others, it is the quiet, heavy rain of loneliness, grief, or the wind of unexpected change. As an older adult, you have weathered storms that younger hearts cannot yet imagine. You know that life is not always sunny, but you also know where to go when the clouds turn gray.

I came across a story not long ago about a woman who had just been given some deeply upsetting news. With her hands shaking slightly, she said, “I feel like I’m in a storm with no umbrella.”

It is a beautiful reminder of a deep truth: God is not just your umbrella—He is your shelter.

There is a significant difference between an umbrella and a shelter. An umbrella is something small we hold over our heads while we try to keep walking through the wind. We are still out in the storm, still fighting the breeze, still trying to stay dry on our own.

But a shelter is a place you step into. It has thick walls and a strong roof. In a shelter, you can put your burdens down, take off your coat, and wait for the storm to pass in safety.

God does not promise us a life without rain. But He does promise His presence in the middle of every downpour. His shelter is a place of refuge where:

• Your fears are calmed by His voice.
• Your tears are held in His hands.
• Your hope is restored by His promises.

Today, if the wind is blowing in your life, stop trying to hold up your own umbrella. You do not have to struggle to keep yourself dry. Step into His shelter. Let His presence cover you, His peace surround you, and His love hold you steady until the sun comes out again.

Personal Prayer