When the Storms Come, Why Fear?

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” —Isaiah 41:10, NKJV

A vicious thunderstorm with tornado-like characteristics pummeled the region where I live in Maryland on the East Coast of the United States of America.

I had entered a shopping mall to buy a couple of items only a few hours before this life-altering event, so I was totally unaware of the weather alerts warning everyone to take safety precautions and find shelter. I left the mall, and because there were no signs of impending danger, I decided to drive to a nearby store for a few items I still needed.

Within minutes, I drove into an ominous thunderstorm of epic proportions. A darkened sky, falling trees, crackling lightning, pouring rain, forceful winds, poor visibility, and traffic jams surrounded me. I cried out to God, “Am I going to be OK, Lord?” I was unable to determine my beltway location or find my way home, unaware that God was with me.

You see, moments later, God opened my eyes, and I saw the next exit was my homeward-bound exit. What a relief! I had begun to sing “Almost Home” when a short distance ahead of me, a fallen tree blocked the road. Oh no! How will I get home? I tried a different route, which ended the same way. My soul cried, How do I get home? After a third attempt to find a way forward was blocked by another fallen tree, my heart’s cry was, Will I ever get home, Lord? I drove to the parking lot of a nearby high school to wait it out. Suddenly, I noticed the traffic seemed to be moving steadily. A quiet voice within me urged me to try again.

As I made the turn onto the road that would lead home, I saw a car behind me turn around and drive away. Paralyzed by fear, I stopped the car.

Fear had blinded me from seeing that the fallen tree now blocked only one lane. Suddenly, I heard a loud voice say, “It’s OK!” I repeated to myself, “It’s OK.” But still I did not move. The voice sounded again, more urgently than before. “It’s OK!” My entire being jolted into action as I realized I was truly homeward bound. What a night of rejoicing that was for me! In my angst, anxiety, and fear, God was closer than any other.

He whispered, “Cynthia, I will never leave you nor forsake you. I am always with you.”

Cynthia Best-Goring