Yesterday, Gaylon and I were returning from a trip to Isle of Palms, South Carolina. For the past ten years, we, along with three other couples, have met in various areas for a vacation. We all raised our children together, went to church together, prayed together, and shared together each other’s burdens. We started out young together, and now we all have streaks of white in our hair, and in some cases, totally snow-colored hair. If you have friends that have been in your life for decades, then you are blessed.

As we packed our cars, prayed together, and gave warm hugs, each got into their vehicles and headed in various directions until next year’s trip.

Gaylon and I had paid close attention to the weather because we knew there were tornadoes and strong storms where we were headed. In order to get home, we had to drive into the storm. The very thought of facing powerful storms was scary. The what ifs danced around in my head as we drove down the highway.

Just before entering the huge Atlanta metro, we saw the skies were getting very dark. I was driving, and I knew the dark storm before me would make travel dangerous, especially since we would be sharing the road with thousands of other vehicles.

I would be less than truthful if I said I was not fighting fear right and left. These storms had already left much destruction in their path and even loss of life. The clouds got darker and darker. We began to pray. A few hours earlier, our life was filled with sunshine, and now darkness was starting to engulf us.

As I continued to drive into the storm, I realized I was still wearing my sunglasses, which are tinted very dark. I removed the shades and traded them for my regular glasses. It was amazing how much less intimidating the storm ahead looked. The storm did not change. How I saw the storm changed!

At times, that is how life feels. What once was sunshine and laughter can quickly turn into a nightmare. As the storm clouds gather, we realize that we cannot stop the darkness that surrounds us. As soon as we recognize that things are about to overwhelm us, emotions start to quickly cloud our judgment. Panic. Frustration. Anger. Worry. Storms come in every shape and size in our lives.

For a period of about an hour, as we saw the storm approaching, watched the radar, and listened to forecasts, emotions were toying with us. We kept calling out to God and leaning on God to get us home. A change of focus caused the storm not to go away, only to appear less ominous. We still had to travel through the storm.

Are you seeing storm clouds on the horizon? Does it appear you will have no choice but to go through the storm? Call out to God and allow Him to give you a different perspective on the storm. Remember, even when things look like they could not get any worse, God is right there. He knows the path of each raindrop, the brightness of each lightning bolt, and He knows you, His blessed child.

As dark as those clouds seem, His cloud of grace is so much greater! He will guide you safely to the shore. Until then, change to your spiritual glasses.

“Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.” – Psalm 89:8-9