…Introspection Time with JBM
Exactly 11 years ago I experienced one of the most painful storms of life, that to date whenever I recall the episode, I easily tear up. We looked forward to having a baby girl as a family and the experience was rather not as complicated as other pregnancies. Giving birth from one of the health centres within Lusaka, God blessed us with the long awaited gift-a baby girl!
On the sixth day as we continued to enjoy this bundle of love, I noticed the baby had a high fever and was rather restless. We decided with my partner to rush her to the hospital where we ended up being admitted as the child was diagnosed with Sepsis.
Sepsis is known as a serious condition resulting from the presence of harmful microorganisms in the blood or other tissues and the body’s response to their presence (John Hopkins University Report, 2021).
While the child was receiving some medical attention, little did I know I would hold her for the last time.
The pain is indescribable.
However, after a few years, God in His own sovereignty still blessed us with another baby girl-as though a compensation. We can only thank Him for His faithfulness.
This remains one of the most vicious storms I have had in life, although there are many more which were life threatening. The feeling when in the storm is like it will never pass. Thus, in my mind, the pain of loss and disorientation felt like it will never pass.
This article is meant for someone whose life has been rocked with certain experiences they can liken to as ‘storms of life.’ This may be a form of loss or experience in whatever area of life that is weakening and making you restless. A situation that could be making you so desperate and looks like your life will remain stormy.
Life’s lessons when faced with a ‘storm’ is that:
NO STORM ever remains STORMY! So even your storm will PASS.
That every storm builds you and inner life’s muscles get strengthened to face the future.
Storms heighten your trust in God because His is always in the midst of that storm, beyond what you feel.
Storms make you resilient in ways that enables you to have a right focus and expectation of God’s intervention. He says, in this world you shall have many struggles, but ‘I have overcome the world’.
God will always show up in your storm because He never slumbers nor sleeps.
God orchestrates situations and grants you a breakthrough once He ascertains that a particular purpose has been established in your life out of that storm.
Within that storm of unemployment, relationship failure, illness, bereavement, opposition, rejection, disappointment and many more, you will know the power of ‘Be still and Know that I am God’ (Psalms 46:10 NIV).
God the calmer of your storm is always active behind your scenes working out something amazing for you, as He turns situations around for your own good.
Even in that storm, God remains true to His word and all your needs will be met according to the riches in glory (Philippians 4:19, NIV).
QOUTE OF THE DAY:
“It is only during a storm that a tree knows how strong it is.”― Matshona Dhliwayo
‘A sailor is distinguished by the number of storms he has overcome.”― Matshona Dhliwayo
Friends, share with me some of the storms you may be in currently needing someone to pray with you for strength and refreshment, expecting God’s intervention.
For the next version of introspection Time with JBM, check Kalemba every Wednesday.
Author: Joan Beulah Mute , is a Lecturer in Research Methods, Sociology and Law and Ethics in Public Health at the University of Lusaka.
For feedback or reactions, email [email protected] or follow on Facebook @Joan Mwanza Mute and Twitter @JoanMute OR whatsspp me on 0966433373
