Guard Yourself In The Midst Of The Storm

Earlier today, I came across a video on Facebook that was sharing some really amazing facts about going to the beach or living close by the beach. How the beach can change brainwaves, bring a sense of calmness and peace, how it destimulates the brain, how it helps us to slow down and relax, how the smell of ocean breeze is soothing and how having our feet in the sand causes us to relax.

It was the perfect description of what was so true for me pertaining to the beach. When life used to get hectic, I used to always say “I have got to get to the beach”. And sure enough, I felt every bit of what the video/article was describing.

I would go during the winter, during preparation for a major storm, during the summer of course, but it was a way for me to let everything go and feel God’s peace. I felt closer to Him because I was beside this huge body of water that He created.

We are preparing for a hurricane here in South Carolina and I am allowing myself to seek peace and calmness. I am allowing myself to be myself 100% – the laid back, faith-filled, go with the flow person I am. I am praying and releasing.

I have to guard my mind, eyes, and heart in order to stay close to God during this time because a lot of the world around me is panicked, worried, stressed, etc. And if I’m not careful, the fear of others can be projected onto me, causing me to forget the truth that I know in my heart. I will get wrapped up and start to feel chaotic. Which is not God’s way for me.

I must admit, that we were in this same situation last year with a hurricane approaching the shores. Actually, the same thing happened 2 years in a row prior to last year in 2015 and 2016, but last year, I really got caught up in the chaos. I was really worried, I was experiencing anxiety, I was an absolute mess in my mind and my overall being, it was an indescribable bad feeling all over.

I was literally on Facebook the whole time, constantly feeding off of the news, posts being written out of worry and fear, the fear of not having the money to do what I wanted to do, the worry of many people that I was around, I was allowing chaos of uncertainty rule my minutes, my hours, and the few days leading up to the storm. I was spinning in a circle of my mind going ridiculously nuts!

I finally sat down in my living room to be still for a bit, because I had come down with a worrisome migraine that was making me feel quite ill. I released all that was making me feel anxious and talked to God.

I said, “you did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind. Take all of this away from me and give me your peace.”

I kid you not, within a matter of a few seconds, I felt this crazy sense of peace and calmness rush over me. I felt my head pain lifting and my heart calming. I felt everything just lifting off.

I knew then that I must guard my heart, and stay close to him instead of following everything that was around me. Sure, we should know what is going on in the world and the weather, but some of those things that we put in front of our eyes have the ability to cause chaos within and lead us away from the truth of God’s word.

I do want to clear up something though. What I am writing has nothing to do with anything someone maybe doing differently than what my family does to prepare for a major storm. You must do what you believe is right for you. Don’t allow someone’s words, or my words to make you feel less than for doing things the way you do them.

You must accept your decisions as YOURS, seek peace over them, be joyful and keep on going.

But whatever you may be doing, seek peace and release the chaos. Believe that you are taken care of. Narrow your mind to focus on God and YOUR family so he can lead you, speak to you, comfort you and remind you of truth.

Most of all believe that this storm or any storm is like a mountain. We can speak to storms and demand them to move.

Matthew 21:21 – Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.

I pray that you guard yourself in the midst of the storms. In the midst of a hurricane or the even just the storms of life. There is always hope.

Much Love,
Crystal keefer