–Originally published on FWB21 November 12, 2012–
I’ve sensed it for a while, but now I’m certain of it: there’s a storm brewing somewhere in my future. It’s as though I can feel the warm winds picking up and see the dark clouds way off in the distance.

I do think the saying holds true in life: you’re either in the middle of a storm, just coming out of one, or about to enter one. I feel like we’ve been moving from storm to storm for the past three years, and I can sense there’s another one coming.

This weekend I had the privilege of attending the East Coast Ladies’ Retreat in Goldsboro, NC. The theme for this year was “The Perfect Storm” and focused on how God works in and through the storms of life. How timely!

Testimony after testimony and speaker after speaker reiterated in one form or another the extreme importance of being grounded in God’s Word to weather the storms. This theme has been before me much lately–in our women’s Bible study, in my own reading, at the Spirit’s gentle reminding…

I do sense a storm coming, but I feel far more prepared for it than ever. Through daily reading and a renewed focus on scripture memorization, I am pouring in God’s Word and asking Him to give me the strength and endurance to persevere through whatever lies before me. He is faithful to His Word and to His promises, and His perspective is eternal. As I soak in more of Him, He enables me to let go of the things to which I cling–my husband and children, our extended family, our home, our possessions, our plans, and our dreams. I feel ready to accept His will, no matter what that looks like.

So bring on the storm.