Summer Sampler: Unexpected to Unbelievable!
This year’s Summer Sampler theme is “Persevering in a Troubling and Ever-Changing World.” Life can be hard. Sometimes, really hard. How do we persevere through circumstances that threaten to break us? This summer, journey with some women who have been through it and have come out the other side with a deeper faith and confidence in God’s love.
By Cindy Saab
I love living in New England, and I welcome the diversity of all four seasons. The new birth of buds blossoming, the splash of salted waters, painted crisp fall leaves, and a fresh snow blanket descending from the sky.
Not so welcome are the unexpected seasons/storms that abruptly knock at our doorstep. Yet we all have those uninvited visitors barging in. For some it may be a health diagnosis, death of a loved one, a broken relationship, a financial hit, loss of a home or a relationship, etc. Some, like I, have experienced the Perfect Storm where three life storms collided at the same time. Those times when you are caught in a life riptide, knocked down, and violently pulled out to sea. Not quite sure what just happened or what to do to get your bearings and head toward a place of sure footing, a place of safety.
So what do you do first? Where do you go? How do you start? Well, first, take a moment and acknowledge what has happened. Name your storm. Second, acknowledge that initially you are most likely in a state of shock. Third, acknowledge your feelings and emotions as you experience each phase of your storm/crisis. Are you sad, mad, angry, overwhelmed, paralyzed with fear, etc.? I remember a time when I was crying out to the Lord as I prayed for all the thoughts, fears, questions, all the unknowns to STOP playing in my mind like a continuous loop. I felt the Lord share that, yes, that is exactly what I needed to do: STOP.
S – Stop / Stand still in His presence
T – Tell God
O – Observe
P – Praise
When you STOP and STAND STILL, there is a shifting that takes place as you change your focus from your concerns to your Savior, protector, and provider.
Then TELL God all the awful, hurtful, overwhelming details of your storm/crisis.
From there, OBSERVE how God has made a way of provision and repositioned you to calmer waters. Then, with a heart full of PRAISE, lift your heart and soul and thank Him for how He has sent you resources, provided for you, moved you to another place BEYOND what you could have hoped for.
As you go through the storm, yes you will go through – you will not be in the storm forever. He will bring you to the other side. You will not only survive, but you will thrive. You will continue to grow, and you will flourish in unexplainable, unbelievable ways as He catapults you in your faith walk with Him day by day.
Flourishing comes from finding strength in God. Be strong and do not fear. God is in control. Isaiah 35:1-7
Excerpts taken from BEYOND: Finding Strength and Hope Through Unexpected Storms
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Click here to view and purchase BEYOND: Finding Strength and Hope Through Unexpected Storms
Cindy Saab is an intentional CEO — a Connector and Encourager of Others. She loves to inspire, empower, equip, and coach those traveling through unexpected storms and motivate them toward new seasons of life or when you feel stuck and want to move on to your next step. Cindy is an award-winning Bible study author, a passionate communicator, and a strong biblical teacher.
She is a speech/speaker coach and presenter at Christian writing/speaking/leadership conferences. The mother of two adult children, she can often be found at the local coffee shop or the inspirational beach near her New Hampshire home.
Cindy is also one of our featured speakers in the By Design Speakers Directory. If you are looking for a Christian speaker for your special event, please visit our online directory or contact us to request a hard copy.