praise you in this storm

This past week has been one of the toughest weeks I have had to go through in a long time. It just hits you like a smack in the face and no one could have ever been ready for it. But, nobody ever expects to go through life without feeling some sort of heartbreak or have to go through some sort of suffering. I guess I haven't really had to experience this kind of suffering before in my life because nothing like this has ever really happened to me. In just a matter of seconds, some news you recieve could change your future forever, that's a scary thought. My friend says bad things happen to you in three's and that's exactly the number of things that happened to me and people around me this week. In an instant, a dear friend from our church passed away from cancer, a friend found out she's moving in a matter of three months, and another friends' parents are moving away which means my friends home is no longer in Ohio. All this news was extremely hard to hear at once and I wasn't sure how to handle it. My first thought was to ask God, "why?" Why do these things have to happen this way? Why can't You fix this hurt? Why do people have to move away? Asking all these questions, I knew that I knew the answers but still felt angry and upset that I had to question the reason behind everything. I know that God has a plan and he knew this would happen from the beginning and "He works everything together for good, who are called according to His purpose." Life is hard, but I know I need to still trust that He knows what's best for me and for all of us. Even though, at first, we might not think this is what's best for us at this time, God knows exactly what we can handle and He wouldn't have it happen unless He didn't think we were strong enough to handle it. My thoughts and feelings about this whole thing are evidently seen in one of my favorite Casting Crown songs entitled, "Praise You in this Storm."


I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone
how can I carry on if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth