Normal days are no longer normal.

The world is caught up in a storm, the winds of change fiercely howling; while we’re swirling, swirling, unsure of when we might land.

Bravely venturing out, we find empty shelves in familiar stores, businesses and restaurants closed, church services cancelled. The economy is in a tailspin, with nothing guaranteed but an uncertain future.

Meanwhile, people remain sheltered in their homes, riding out the storm while gripping tightly onto all they thought they knew.

Jesus warns us such trouble is inevitable:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

In this world there will be tribulation. But Jesus Christ has overcome the world! He alone extends victory and hope in the midst of trials. When the volatility of the world around us brings  anxiety, in Him we find peace.

As we draw close to the Lord in the secret place of His presence, He covers us with His feathers. As the tempest swirls around us, He hides us under the shelter of His wing. While the winds howl, we remain securely with the Lord in the eye of the storm—and in this quiet oasis there is rest.

In Him alone, we find peace to guard our hearts through troubled times. In His presence we hear His quiet whispers, gaining the wisdom and strength we need in the moment.

“Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:9-11 NKJV)

Do not forsake the One who requires no social distancing. Do not neglect the precious time you spend with Him. Living in the eye of the storm—in His presence—there is peace.

Copyright © 2020 Cheryl Elton

The post Living in the Eye of the Storm appeared first on Cheryl Elton.

“You’re not making me want to do this,” I uneasily laughed. The pre-op nurse stood before me reciting a litany of risks of surgery: from possible infection, to cardiac arrest . . . to death.

For a split second, fear gripped my heart. This was elective surgery. Do I really want to go through with this?

Let’s face it . . . surgery brings anxiety.

The uncertainties, the unknowns, the disruption of routines, the fear of pain . . . The hidden things in our hearts that leave us teetering on the brink of fear often surface during this time.

Last Tuesday morning, getting to the day surgery center was for me the most challenging part of the day.

Because of the newness of the procedure I was having on my foot, the closest doctor was 3 hours from my home. This left plenty of time on the drive over with my husband for anxieties to brew—exacerbated by an early departure on little sleep, the beginnings of a headache, and trying not to think about the restriction on food and drink—(tough for us breakfast people!)

Yet as I gazed out at the rising sun, a thought came: When was the last time the sun failed to come up?

A daily testament to God’s faithfulness, the sun rises each morning, signaling another new day—and not one of us has any control over it!

I considered the sky, the clouds, the trees, and reflected on the awesomeness of God’s creation.

Surely, I am part of that creation! Couldn’t the One who so awesomely and wonderfully made the amazing intricacies of my body—He who designed it to function and heal—see me through this time? 

In that moment, I started thanking God for the blessings all around me. I began praising Him for who He is, all He’s made, the life He’s given me.

Praise quickly gave rise to prayer, and one by one, I turned my anxious concerns over to Him, leaving each in His capable hands.

By the time we reached the surgery center, I realized my headache had lifted, my heart was at peace.

In Psalm 77, Asaph was consumed with distress, self-concern, worries, complaining. So troubled he could not speak, he wondered, where is God? “Will He be favorable no more?” 

But then he recalled times he had experienced the greatness and goodness of God:

“I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds . . . Who is so great a God as our God?”  (Psalm 77:11-13)

Asaph found that as long as he looked within himself and let his mind ramble with worries and “what-ifs,” he would be miserable.

When his focus returned to God and His greatness, Asaph’s problems shrank into insignificance.

As I prepared for my surgery, I learned again that I could choose: to keep dwelling on my self-centered anxious thoughts, or to put my mind on “things above.”

God was with me. He would see me through this time, like He has so many others.

Is He not faithful to His promises?

“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5b)

No matter how big or small, how routine or complex your surgery is, remember—as you prepare—God is there to provide what you need and give you peace.

Thankfulness and praise open the doors to His presence. Prayer opens the floodgates to His peace.

^“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Copyright © 2017 Cheryl Elton

For related posts, click on Topic Tags for “training,” “worry,” “praise.”

The post Overcoming Anxiety Before Surgery appeared first on Cheryl Elton.

Perhaps you’ve seen the stickers, the magnets, the greeting cards: Life is good. 

Ever notice how easy it is to coast along—and even forget God—when things are going well . . .

. . . when life is good ?

Jesus came that we might have a more abundant life, yet He also warns us that in this world there will be trials. Unfortunately, it’s often when something big rocks our world—the unexpected crisis, the cancer diagnosis—that many people quickly cry out to God for help.

Yet in the same verse, Jesus also tells us that in Him we can have peace and be overcomers:

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

When circumstances threaten to swallow us up with despair, will we be pulled under, or rise above?

The answer lies largely in how we’ve been training.

“A strong military is created one way. With the best training.” [1]

Does a soldier stand in the front lines of combat without knowledge of how to use his weapons?

It’s the training in peacetime that prepares the warrior for when the battle rages.

Ephesians 6 gives us the crucial reminder that the fight we’re in is not person against person, but spiritual. Life is a spiritual reality, and we’re in a spiritual battle against real enemies of the spirit realm. As warriors, we’re to prepare ourselves daily by putting on the armor of God.

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) 

Likewise, a life of strength, peace, and faith is created through the daily training we avail ourselves to, especially in peacetime, when no conflict rages.

Here are 5 “boot camp” basic tips to staying strong and becoming overcomers in the spiritual fight of life:

1. Read the Bible. Just as daily physical food is necessary to sustain life in our bodies, our spiritual food is equally as important. Are you feeding on the Word of God every day?

2. Pray. Through prayer we express our devotion and love to our Heavenly Father. We pour out our thoughts, desires, feelings, concerns, burdens, and disappointments—as well as our gratitude and praise. Any worthwhile relationship requires communication. Prayer opens the door to His blessings.

3. Share Christ. Are you sharing the good news of Christ with others? The best way to help people is by pointing them toward their own relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Speaking the truth in love allows blessings to flow freely—to others and back to ourselves.

4. Give financially. A tried and true tenet of Scripture is to sow financially into fertile ground of our choosing; (usually a place that is teaching and helping others grow in Christ.) As we give, we receive—a principle that works in all of life, including our finances.

5. Fellowship with others. From the Greek, the word fellowship means, full sharing. Availing ourselves to Christian fellowship is an important part of our spiritual growth and well-being. No one is meant to go it alone. We are a family of believers in Christ, and we’re to encourage and support one another.

Regularly carrying out these five faith basics assures us of a strong “training in peacetime”—so we may be found in His presence when the battles come.

[1] See http://todaysmilitary.com/training

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

The post Training in Peacetime (Part 1): 5 Boot Camp Basics appeared first on Cheryl Elton.