I recall a cold, windy, wintery day. It was my responsibility to go to the hardware store and buy the paraffin for the heater. It was in the “olden days”, when many homes did not have central heating. (I know this may be hard to imagine for those younger than me.)

It had snowed and the pavement was now icy and slippery. It was a long walk to the store carrying a 5 gallon container and I was cold. The wind was blowing with such force that I found myself being pushed, I was sliding along involuntarily.

I began to feel scared. As I tried to walk straight ahead the wind moved me sideways, closer and closer to the side of the road. In my heart I called out to God to save me from being blown into the road and into the path of a passing car. At that moment my eyes glanced and locked onto a street light pole. As the wind pushed me closer to the edge of the pavement I clung onto the pole with both hands. I was not letting go!

It took a bit of time before the wind subsided and I was finally able to relinquish my hold on the light pole. I crossed the road where there were houses, I thought at least if the wind blew again I would be pushed into garden walls and gates. I continued on my walk to the store, bought the paraffin and made my way home as quickly as possible without slipping over or being blown away.

How often on life’s journey we are at risk of being blown over, slipping up or falling flat on our face when we make mistakes and bad choices. We must remember all the time, that we have a loving Father who hears our cry for help. He forgives us and gives us the strength to keep holding on to Him even when we are tempted to let go.

We may experience times of distress and fear when going through sickness or the death of a loved one. These are difficult things to bear, but God is with us, He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Even when it may look as though no one is there, He is there. He will stop the winds of life from overwhelming us.

We need to hold on to the Words of Jesus in times of crisis, He says in Matthew 7:24-25:
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
Let us keep the words of Jesus in our hearts, so when the wind blows and storms come in our life we can be safe and secure in our relationship with Him.
Be encouraged.