Stormy Weather

How to Use This Book

This book initially started off as a journal during the storm of my “health crisis”. I often use journaling to pray and release any feelings I am experiencing at a given time. I find it amazing to read back and see how I felt at that moment and how God answered my prayers. So this book was literally birthed out of the storm that attacked my body with intense pain and overwhelming exhaustion. My life was completely turned upside down. It is only by the grace of God that I was able to capture this moment on paper.

Many nights I spent crying out in pain and praying for relief and comfort. During those moments I was unable to recall any Scripture to help ease my mind and calm my fears. My mind was so overwhelmed by pain that I could not find any relief. One way I was able to combat the long, painful nights was to enter into praise and worship. When I found myself in a low, dark and lonely place, unable to recall the Scriptures, I found comfort in listening to the lyrics of Christian music. The words flooded my head and took me to a place of praising God in the midst of my tears and soothed my aching soul. When I couldn’t remember the Scriptures the lyrics reminded me of His promises and of His faithfulness in the good times and in the bad.

Never before have I been blessed by music like I have in this storm. It became a nighttime ritual for me to place my Nook or iPad under my pillow and click on the Pandora app and select either Nicole C. Mullen, CeCe Winans or Casting Crowns station and allow the lyrics to whatever song came on to literally pour in my head. And as the tears would fall I would find myself singing and praising God. It would soothe my aching body, ease my mind, calm my heart and literally distract me from my pain and anxious thoughts.

There are three key points to every lesson discussed in this book: a Bible scripture, a prayer, and a song. Use all three to help you embrace the lesson. Use the Bible scripture as part of your devotion for the day and study as well as memorize it. If it is particularly helpful to you, write it down on a small card and carry with you. Refer to it throughout your day to remind you of God’s word, His promises to you.

The prayer at the end of each section is to be used to jumpstart your own prayer. Take this time to talk to your Father who is always there waiting for you to approach His throne of grace to obtain all that you need to weather the storms of life. Go to Him in prayer, pouring out whatever you are experiencing, whatever is causing you anxiety or overwhelming your heart. God already knows and He cares about you.

The song at the end of each section can be viewed on YouTube. I would suggest watching a video that has the lyrics available to review. Allow the song to create an atmosphere of worship and praise while you pray. Nothing takes the place of Scripture, especially when we are in a storm. But music can be a wonderful blessing that ushers us into the presence of God. Please do not get caught up in whether you like the song, the artist’s performance, or whether you like or dislike the music. Instead get caught up in the lyrics that will lead you to praise and worship. It’s all about the lyrics soothing your mind and your heart.

My hope and prayer for this book, is to share with you what I l have learned through this and the other storms of my life. I pray that you will be able to use this book as a guide to help you navigate through whatever storm you are experiencing. I believe that our experiences are to be used to share with others along this journey. I pray that the lessons I have learned will help you and, in turn, you will pass it on to others.

Be forever blessed.