In John 16:33 Jesus tells us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
On this planet spinning at 1000 miles per hour and rotating on its axis with a molten core covered by a thin outer crust that is 715 covered by water and a thin atmosphere above, nature things takes place. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tidal waves from shifting tectonic plates, hurricanes and tornados from disturbed atmospheric conditions, landslides and floods from torrential rains, life-suspending snow storms and life-crippling droughts because of the associated seasons changing, torque on the crust and climate alterations, though rare, are normal acts of God in nature which cause trouble for people yearly.
We in California, USA are used to earthquakes, so unless it is a really big one, we hardly notice them. People in Hawaii just get out of the way of Mt. Kilauea volcanic lava flow. It’s nails plywood over the windows and “baton down the hatches” for hurricanes along the east coast and the Gulf states. It’s get into the Strom Cellar or secure spot in the basement for tornados. For landslides and floods, you just have to leave the area until it is over. Store food, water and wood for the winter storms that cause you to be snowed in, until the roads are plowed and snow-blower can do their job to clear paths out. The summer sun brings heatwaves and seasons of dryness that can chase us into shade and indoor cooling. If not extreme weather, people seem to be able to weather the troubles of the natural storms of life. Extreme weather causes fear and anxiety due to the dangers they pose. Human evil, hatred, perversion, greed, prejudice, and the associated malicious thoughts, acts or violence are a different story.
This last week, my 95 year old World War Veteran father, who lives in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains of California experience a series of extreme winter storms that dropped five feet of snow at his house in six days. The severe wet snow caused dead trees from several years of drought to fall across power lines and cause outages in the region, including his housing tract. Residents in the mountains were accustomed to power outages from rain, wind, fire and snow, so started their gas generators for their homes. But, the snow kept falling and the roads became unusable by vehicles. The Power company could repair their lines and the snowed-in people were running low on gas and provisions. The neighbors rallied together to provide for each other as best as they could. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. As the snow kept falling to five feet deep, generators not meant to run continuously for a week straight began to breakdown.
But, then the water tank for the Tract ran dry because there was no commercial power to the water pump that filled the tank. Good Samaritan rescuers brought gas, provisions and hope. But, with no power in sight, with no water in site, and only a propane heater to stay warm, as soon as the snowplow carved a path in the roadway, we relocated my elderly father down to the nearest town to stay safe and secure in a comfortable hotel until I can drive up to get him and take him to my house until the weather conditions improve and utilities are restored for normal life routines to resume.
In this world you will have trouble but God is good, life is good, and good people are good even when the weather is bad.
In Christ, Brian
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