A Raging Storm

On January 13, 2020, I had a heart attack! It hit me across the chest like a ton of bricks, which sent shock waves through my body.

Thank goodness, God saved my life! While reflecting on my life-altering experience, I thought, What if I had died? Was my soul right with God? Had I repented of known and unknown sins, and God had forgiven me? That was a stormy year of physical, emotional, and spiritual turmoil. I prayed and asked the Lord to show me His way. Although some struggles may seem insurmountable, God promises us “that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14, NKJV).

God revealed to me my need to completely surrender all my burdens and rest in Him (Matthew 11:28–30).

As the COVID-19 pandemic was raging around the world, I began listening to sermons in various ways —YouTube, Zoom, telephone— and participated in online Bible studies, praying and meditating on His Word. Later, I believe, God opened the way for me to receive counseling by telephone on coping with stress and anxiety. God gave me physical healing and peace to my troubled mind and heart. He is our guiding light to move forward in life! I am reminded of a story of hope from the Bible.

In Mark 4:35–40, Jesus and His disciples were in a boat, crossing over to the other side of the sea. Jesus was asleep on a pillow, and a great windstorm arose. The disciples were doing the best they could to keep the boat upright. They remembered that Jesus was asleep in the boat and called to Him. He awoke and “rebuked” the wind. Jesus said, “Peace, be still!” (verse 39, NKJV). Amid their fear, He was there for them. Jesus asked them, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (verse 40, NIV).

God will calm the seas of suffering and show us the way.

We can trust in Jesus and feel peaceful and protected in His arms (Psalm 91; 46:1, 2). Day by day, we must surrender to Him and walk in His ways through His Spirit. Each day, I am “confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in [us] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, NKJV).

Carolyn Venice Marcus