Grounded

Sometimes in our lives, the storms don't seem like they will ever let up.

Just when we think we are through the worst of it, another front moves in. The water rises, the thunder roars - striking panic in our hearts, and lightning flashes - short-circuiting our minds as we feel overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty.

This reminds me of a recent storm that caused our power to go out.

Thankfully, some genius electricians discovered the concept of grounding. When a storm like the one we experienced causes things to short circuit, the flow of electricity is returned to the ground and kept safe, so nothing dangerous happens. Grounding aims to restore an electrical connection with the earth rather than cause havoc. 

Or something like that. 

I don't even understand how a fax works, let alone electricity.

All I know is that when the power goes out, I am grateful to be able to go down to our fuze box and reset things (or wait a few hours for the power company to do it) so our 400 electronics components can continue humming along, and we can return to our binging.

If grounding didn't happen, those short-circuits could destroy everything.

The same happens with us, I think.

When life's storms come, God can keep us grounded so we don't short-circuit and wreak havoc with panic and fear. 

God found you, and you are home, safe and sound, standing on the firm foundation and ground of God's love, which you can rest upon despite the storms raging around you.

Despite the ruminating thoughts of panic and fear that are circling your mind:

You are safe.

You are loved.

You are going to be okay, and this storm will pass.

Now that we are a bit calmer, let's take a moment to sit down together and take some deep breaths.

Feel your feet on the ground and imagine God absorbing all the electricity within that is short-circuiting and zapping the strength out of you. 

Imagine a wire coming from your mind to His, transferring all those nasty currents flowing and grounding them down into God's foundation. 

While that transfer is happening, let's do something together to help us focus on something else while we wait to come back online:

Let's look for:

• 5 things we can see

• 4 things we can touch

• 3 things we can hear

• 2 things we can smell

• 1 thing we can taste

Now, let's take some more deep breaths.

My power is returning, and I sure feel calmer. I hope you do, too.

The storms rage on, the lightning strikes, the thunder roars, but we remain grounded in God's love, standing firm.

God has found you, and He is never, EVER going to let you go.

Matthew 7:25

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Ephesians 3:16-19

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Psalms 62:6

Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.