DON'T LOOK AT THE STORM

But when he saw the strong wind and

the waves, he was terrified and began

to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and

grabbed him. "You have so little faith,"

Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?"

(Matthew 14:30-31)

Over the last several weeks I've been trying to live the life Brant Hansen writes about in his books Unoffendable, and Life is Hard. God is Good. Let's Dance. I've been trying to relax and stay focused on the present, trusting that God is sovereign and in control, and acknowledging that the future is His department--not mine.

It has been a much more relaxing way to live, but when things look particularly hopeless, it's been hard not to project and fall into old patterns of imposing limitations on myself and thinking I have to do this or I have to do that. Maybe I don't.

Thankfully, the Lord does not allow me to flounder for long. He has been so patient and longsufferng, sending me encouragement in unexpected ways when I need it the most. A verse in my Bible, a text from a friend, a blog post--even a license plate. Today it was through one of my devotionals that I opened up to a large, bold print heading--Don't Look At The Storm.