When the Waves Roll

Life's tempestuous sea is playing havoc with my emotions as of late.  The last couple weeks have been a challenge to keep myself in check. In my life-long quest to learn to "dance in the rain," I am having trouble keeping myself on an even keel these days. Such a struggle.

I was led back to a verse in Jeremiah this morning that I had marked back in 2008.  

"If you return and give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair then I will give you again a settled place of quiet and safety, and you will be My minister; and if you separate the precious from the vile, cleansing your own heart from unworthy and unwarranted suspicions concerning God's faithfulness, you shall be My mouthpiece." (Jeremiah 15:19)

When the life's waves are raging, the distrust and despair over whether God is aware that your boat is taking on water overwhelms you...am I right?  I highlighted this verse four years ago and here I am still having to have the Lord remind me of my weak faith and strong distrust.

Reading this verse this morning brought to mind Paul's words to the Romans and Philippians about rejoicing in all things.

"Let us be full of joy now!  Let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patience and unswerving endurance."
(Romans 5:3-4)

"Rejoice in the Lord always (delight, gladden yourselves in Him); again I say, Rejoice!" (Phil 4:4)

Oh to be consistently strong when the sea billows roll, confident in the Lord's care and concern over my struggles and challenges!

Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rocks and treacherous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild.
Raging waves obey Thy will,
When Thou say'st to them: Be still.
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
'Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me:
Fear not, I will pilot thee.

Edward Hopper