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Better get under cover, Sylvester. There’s a storm blowin’–a whopper, to speak in the vernacular of the peasantry! Poor little kid, I hope she gets home all right. ~ Professor Marvel, The Wizard of Oz

Reverend Hamlin likes to tell us that if you haven’t encountered troubles in your life, storms raining down on your head, then just keep on living a little longer.

The last few months for me and my loved ones have been like living on the set of a Hollywood disaster movie. You know the script–folks stampeding down the street, desperately trying to outrun the earthquake/tidal wave/asteroid that is about to swallow them up.

Okay, I exaggerate. My storms are not quite as bad as that. But lately, the hits just keep on coming. We stare at one another in disbelief as problems pile on top of bad news. Are you kidding me? What in the world is going on?

Probably like you, my first reaction is fear. Frustration. Anger. All the negative feelings that overwhelm. And then the questions start.

What have I done wrong?

When will it end?

Why is this happening to me?

I pose these questions to my dear friend Marlene. She wisely reminds me that I’ve written a book that Satan won’t be recommending for his Fireside Book Club any time soon. She reminds me I’m rattling the gates of hell.

Again.

True, the book I’m about the publish is a finger in the face of Satan.

I imagine he doesn’t really want me to tell readers about how, under God’s power, Satan was dealt an old-fashioned butt whoopin’. It is a story of Satan’s loss. His failure. Of God’s miraculous victory.

I imagine if Satan were human, he would sue me for libel. Of course, he would act as his own lawyer. How fitting.

So how can I weather these storms? What can I do?

I vow to stand firm. Resolute.

See, my personality is reactionary. My emotions are volatile. And intense. That’s just the way I roll. So, I force myself to remember what happened back in 2006. I remember that I need not fear Satan and his slimy schemes if I am wearing the armor of God.

I remember that God is well more than capable of calming my storms. And yours.

I remember He already has the sunshine waiting in the wings behind the clouds. And your clouds, too.

So every ten minutes this day I will remind myself–out loud–that today, my feelings are not fact.

Today I will not fear.

Today I will trust. And stand firm.

Today, and every day, God wins!

How are you gonna stick your finger in Satan’s face today?

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ~Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)