Finding Peace in the Calamity

Finding Peace in the Calamity

By Renee

Saturday March 21^st  around 11 PT, residents in Darrington, Washington and nearby were working through life’s normal routines when a mudslide (a square mile) took it all away.   So many lives have been jarred; others are still waiting for answers.  A Naval officer, a mother of four, a misplaced child, fathers, mothers, a fiancé, and several other stories whose hearts are in need of mending.

The Washington mudslide is not the only catastrophe that seems to be making headlines these days.  Turn on the news and somewhere around the world, someone is suffering from the pains of war or a calamity.  However, all that is taking place should not surprise us.  Why? Because God has already told us to expect all of these events.

“And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains” (Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:7-8, Luke 21:9)

Life is not about worrying when the tragedy will strike, but it’s how we deal with it when it happens.  Will we fall into a deep despair unable to pull ourselves up from the pit?  Or, will we become a recluse afraid to walk outside our door.  One thing can be certain.  If we cast our worries onto the shoulders of Jesus Christ, he will carry us through our circumstances no matter what our emotions may be.  “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).

God has promised us that even in the midst of our pains, sorrows, and fears, he will carry us as a father carries his son until we reach our destination (Deuteronomy 1:31) of restoration.   He understands our grief, and he desires for our hearts to be renewed.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity” (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

When we seek him with all of our heart, there we will find the peace we need to overcome whatever tragedy we will face.