Storm Clouds

[bluidkiti]

"Storm Clouds"

“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;...” — I Timothy 2:8 NKJV

Life can go along for many sunny days and then suddenly the storm clouds appear and everything goes wrong. Has this ever happened to you? If so, you probably will agree that you don't think clearly in the fog of those clouds. Just as storm clouds blur the blue skies and sunshine, your anger, doubt, fear or anxiety can blur any clear thinking. That is why Paul is urging young Timothy to encourage people to pray "without wrath and doubting."

When we allow the storm clouds to fog our minds, we have a tendency to rush ahead and make foolish decisions because our emotions have taken control. But when we talk to the Lord in prayer, letting him know our deep concerns, we have time to calm down. God helps us to think clearly and the storm clouds disappear. It is important that when we pray, we take time to listen for God's answer. When we do all the talking, we aren't able to listen. Max L. Lucado wrote, "Clouds of doubt are created when the warm, moist air of our expectations meets the cold air of God's silence. The problem is not as much in God's silence as it is in our ability to hear." Jesus told us, "He who does not love Me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me." (John 14:24).

We know that rain must fall into all of our lives. But if we can keep praying during the sunny days as well as the rainy ones, God will help us remove the storm clouds more quickly, so that the sun can once more shine in our lives. Not only will our lives be filled with sunshine, but we'll brighten the lives we touch each day.

Almighty God, help me to pray to you without wrath and doubt, so that I may chase the storm clouds and be filled with your joy. Amen.