A Words of Faith story by Kristy Cambron
“Wake up, girls. Get in the hallway. A storm’s coming.”
It was a balmy summer night when our mother came in and woke us with the warning. My sister and I have been asleep in the guest room of our grandmother’s home, which just happened to be in a town at the top of Tornado Alley. Soon we found ourselves crouched in a hallway in the middle of the night, with what sounded like a freight train bearing down outside.
To this day, the tornado that swept through our small hometown is still talked about; there was so much fear when the storm was raging and a huge amount of damage to clean up in the aftermath. Locals say it was survived, but not forgotten.
It’s what storms feel like in our faith journey, isn’t it? There’s uncertainty swirling just past the point where we can see. Our health might be in question. A relationship crumbling. Maybe we never imagined to be standing in an unemployment line or receiving dinner from a food pantry, but suddenly there we are. It may be that our dreams are falling apart right before our eyes, and there’s little we can do to stop it. We might not have expected it, the gale is upon us. Waves are raging and the wind roars. And all at once, we’re overcome with fear.
"Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was calm."—Luke 8:24 NKJV
You’ve likely heard the story before. The disciples were in a boat with Jesus, crossing a lake from one shore to the other. He’d fallen asleep and a terrible windstorm came down upon them. And this is where the uncertainty begins, along with the exhaustion and anxiety and doubt and fear…“What do we do now?” I imagine them crying out against the wind.
The Greek word used for the raging water in Luke 8:24 is [kludón]— it comes from a word that literally means: to wash over. The description we have in this verse is not a ripple of water. It’s not just a wave. In fact, it’s so violent that in the midst of this type of storm, we’re completely submerged.
We’re washed over.
But this is not a post of defeat. This verse stands as a faith reminder that the washed over experiences we have do not end there. In fact, if you read the rest of that verse, you find victory is at our side. Not only was there the Messiah in the boat with the disciples when they were washed over, but He was quick to wake, to speak, and to calm the storm. And here’s the moment of truth – the hope we all look for through the storm clouds of our lives…
The Greek word used for calm in this same verse is [galéné]— and it comes from a root word that means: I laugh, or smile.
During my father’s chemo treatments, our family was facing a storm. And after we had to say a “goodbye for now” at the end, we were emotionally barren and completely washed over. I remember asking my mom after the memorial service if we would ever laugh again.
I wanted to go from being washed over to once again feeling authentic joy.
If you’re washed over today, know that Jesus is the catalyst for calm in the rough waters. He’s always present, quick to action on our behalf, and most important, He’s always in control. If you’re uncertain, if you’re doubting that you can make it through the raging waters, I need to tell you that you’re not alone.
I know this, because I’ve been washed over too.
I’ve been in the boat as it crossed to a distant shore. The wind screamed and the waves raged. I cried out for help. I lacked faith. And now? I smile at least once a day. I feel the calm not because of the lack of storms, but because of His absolute faithfulness through them.
With JOY,
~*~
Author bio:
Kristy Cambron has a background in art and design, but she fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her debut novel, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN, was named to Library Journal Reviews' Best Books of 2014 and RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best of 2014 lists, and received a 2015 INSPY Awards nomination for best debut novel.
It was a balmy summer night when our mother came in and woke us with the warning. My sister and I have been asleep in the guest room of our grandmother’s home, which just happened to be in a town at the top of Tornado Alley. Soon we found ourselves crouched in a hallway in the middle of the night, with what sounded like a freight train bearing down outside.
To this day, the tornado that swept through our small hometown is still talked about; there was so much fear when the storm was raging and a huge amount of damage to clean up in the aftermath. Locals say it was survived, but not forgotten.
It’s what storms feel like in our faith journey, isn’t it? There’s uncertainty swirling just past the point where we can see. Our health might be in question. A relationship crumbling. Maybe we never imagined to be standing in an unemployment line or receiving dinner from a food pantry, but suddenly there we are. It may be that our dreams are falling apart right before our eyes, and there’s little we can do to stop it. We might not have expected it, the gale is upon us. Waves are raging and the wind roars. And all at once, we’re overcome with fear.
"Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was calm."—Luke 8:24 NKJV
You’ve likely heard the story before. The disciples were in a boat with Jesus, crossing a lake from one shore to the other. He’d fallen asleep and a terrible windstorm came down upon them. And this is where the uncertainty begins, along with the exhaustion and anxiety and doubt and fear…“What do we do now?” I imagine them crying out against the wind.
The Greek word used for the raging water in Luke 8:24 is [kludón]— it comes from a word that literally means: to wash over. The description we have in this verse is not a ripple of water. It’s not just a wave. In fact, it’s so violent that in the midst of this type of storm, we’re completely submerged.
We’re washed over.
But this is not a post of defeat. This verse stands as a faith reminder that the washed over experiences we have do not end there. In fact, if you read the rest of that verse, you find victory is at our side. Not only was there the Messiah in the boat with the disciples when they were washed over, but He was quick to wake, to speak, and to calm the storm. And here’s the moment of truth – the hope we all look for through the storm clouds of our lives…
The Greek word used for calm in this same verse is [galéné]— and it comes from a root word that means: I laugh, or smile.
During my father’s chemo treatments, our family was facing a storm. And after we had to say a “goodbye for now” at the end, we were emotionally barren and completely washed over. I remember asking my mom after the memorial service if we would ever laugh again.
I wanted to go from being washed over to once again feeling authentic joy.
If you’re washed over today, know that Jesus is the catalyst for calm in the rough waters. He’s always present, quick to action on our behalf, and most important, He’s always in control. If you’re uncertain, if you’re doubting that you can make it through the raging waters, I need to tell you that you’re not alone.
I know this, because I’ve been washed over too.
I’ve been in the boat as it crossed to a distant shore. The wind screamed and the waves raged. I cried out for help. I lacked faith. And now? I smile at least once a day. I feel the calm not because of the lack of storms, but because of His absolute faithfulness through them.
With JOY,
~*~
Author bio:
Her second novel, A SPARROW IN TEREZIN, was named to Library Journal Reviews Best of 2015 list, and received a nomination for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best Inspirational Book of 2015.
Facebook: Kristy Cambron | Twitter: @KCambronAuthor | Instagram: kristycambron
Pinterest: KCambronAuthor | Web: KristyCambron.com | TheGROVEstory.com
Kristy's third historical novel, THE RINGMASTER'S WIFE, was named to Publishers Weekly Spring 2016 Religion & Spirituality TOP 10 and will release from HarperCollins in June 2016.
Kristy is a Speaker and Design Manager at TheGROVEstory.com, and holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.
Connect with Kristy:
Kristy is a Speaker and Design Manager at TheGROVEstory.com, and holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.
Connect with Kristy:
Facebook: Kristy Cambron | Twitter: @KCambronAuthor | Instagram: kristycambron
Pinterest: KCambronAuthor | Web: KristyCambron.com | TheGROVEstory.com
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