My grandmother has a cartoon on her refrigerator. It shows a cow on its back with all four legs in the air. The caption reads, “I’m fine, really, I’m fine.”
A lot of us handle the storms in our lives like that cow. We stand in the rain soaking wet with a smile on our faces in our cute pair of galoshes and say, “I’m dry, really, I’m dry.”
I know what that’s like because I did it for years. Somewhere along the way I was told, “Christians need to be happy all the time. If you’re not happy, what will people think about Jesus?”
If you want to breed a herd of perfectionists, just say that a few times from the pulpit.
For many years my life was mostly sunny. I could grin and bear it through the few showers that came along. But then came The Storm—the type that makes the weather channel flash maps covered with red and send warnings about taking shelter immediately.
It’s one thing to stand outside in a nice little shower. It’s another thing to be that crazy news anchor hanging onto a light pole in the middle of a hurricane.
I couldn’t do it anymore. Like the rain that streamed down in my world, something opened in my heart and hurt poured out from a place I had kept locked for years.
Then I waited. I listened for the rebukes. I watched for the disapproving stares. I stiffened my soul for the hard hand of God.
But instead of those things I encountered the last thing I ever expected to find.
Love.
I felt it in the kindness of friends and family. I heard it in comforting words. I discovered it deep within my heart as God whispered, “I’m here with you.”
I also realized I wasn’t the only one who was wet. People began to open up to me. Everyone I knew had some type of rain in their lives. We were one great, big, beautiful soggy mess…and God loved us all.
So if you’re still muttering under your breath, “I’m dry, really, I’m dry” then I invite you to admit that there’s a storm in your life.
It’s okay to not be okay.
When we embrace that grace, we’re finally free to discover that love is waiting for us in the center of the storm.
{excerpt from Rain on Me, Devotions of Hope and Encouragement for Difficult Times}
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When Jesus came to the earth and went to the cross for us, He said with His life and death, “Your sin is not too much for me. Your mess is not too much for me. Your failure, your shame, your story that’s far from ‘happily ever after’ are not too much for me.” Part of the reason we celebrate Easter is because it’s proof, once and for all, that we are loved just as we are.
What storm are you facing in your life right now?
Leave a Comment
Stephanie says
When my life fell apart about six years ago I had a beautiful, Godly, dear friend who was around the world at that time. She held my heart so gently. She gave me the best advice that anyone ever has… she said, “honey, it’s okay to feel how you feel, it’s okay to be where you are.” She gave me permission to grieve, to be utterly devastated, to fall apart, to be a glorious mess. In allowing me to be myself, God shone through the mess. He somehow in HIS amazing way made beauty from ashes. He molded and shaped me to be more like Him in that devastating valley. Right now I’m in a new place. Life is for the most part great. I’m married to a lovely, gentle, Godly man who loves me so much. He has helped to heal many of those broken places in me. Our hurt and challenge right now is grieving through a miscarried child and some fertility problems. It’s amazing to me how much ache one heart can hold for little people to fill my arms. I’ve been really angry about it lately. Hurting and aching for babies that God isn’t sending. I’m trying to keep taking that hurt to Jesus but sometimes I hold onto it all myself and just fall apart. This too is a journey. Some days I’m doing okay with it and other days I am just a glorious mess. I appreciate your words Holley. I need to buy your book. 🙂
Kelley says
Wonderful post…thanks for the reminder. :). I’ve had many many storms in my life, but I can still feel God’s grace through them usually…it’s the only thing that gets me through. @ Stephanie…may God give you peace that only He can…We lost our first child, but we now have 4 beautiful blessings! I try to remember that our first baby is not lost, but home, and that we hadnto endure that to receive the blessings we do have. I am so blessed to be the mother of four beautiful healthy children now. Keep taking your troubles to Him and you will find peace.
Brianne says
Yes, thank you for this. I have often felt that need to pretend to be happy & fine all the time, I still do, even though I know I don’t HAVE to.
Rebecca says
It’s ok to be ok…it’s ok not to be ok…it’s then that we find rest and peace in his arms. I always grow more through the storms in life…..that’s where I tend to seek him the most. While I am learning to be closer tohim and reach out to the arms he has provided physically on earth through friends….I still am afraid to show weakness…but when I do, his power shines….his grace and his glory……(not mine)….but his…..Thank you for this amazing post……it is a great way to start my day!
Carey says
I am thankful to be soaking wet! Life is much more fun that way…free to play in the rain. Thankful for the reminder not to “fake-it”. With Joy, Carey
Bek says
Really great post. This is something I am learning slowly. I am the one that is always okay and strong. It is hard to really let those walls down and to not be okay. More prayer. Thank you. xx
Jenny says
beautiful Holley… thank you so much!
Alejandra says
Very timely message for me. Sometimes I struggle with my own feelings and put a “happy” front because I feel guilty to show my life struggles. I just keep remembering that God is my true joy and strength as Nehemiah 8:10 says.
Katarina says
Thanks, I’ve been learning that this past year A LOT. That letting others know we are not ok allows God to shine, it gives permission for others to not be ok. Thanks for that reminder this morning.
Jen says
I just had a conversation with a friend last night. I have been struggling lately with being sad and tire and just plain down. I’ve been jealous and envious of my married friends (literally within a two year period the majority of my friends got married) because they all had what I desired. My parents raised me (or at least TRIED to) be independent and not to rely on anyone and to just “suck it up” if I was sad. It just isn’t in my nature to be that way. God wired me a little more emotional that most. But because of that, it is hard for me to ask for prayer or help. One thing that my friend said to me last night was, “It’s not ok for you to go through this by yourself. Just because I’m busy doesn’t mean I’m too busy to come along side you and pray for you.”
Liana says
While my expereince did not end in an outpouring of love from everyone, it certainly did help me learn the people who really loved me and had my back. It was a tough realization to discover some people only what to be around you when you are “problem free”. Praise God that He loves us through all our pain and brings precious people into our life to share that love!:)
Val says
I loved this the first time I read it, and I needed it again now. I’m starting to have time to ‘feel’ all the craziness my family and I have been through in the last year. I had surgery two months ago to remove a tumor that was found while I was pregnant, there’s a good chance I’m dealing with a genetic disease that will mean more tumors like the one I had removed will grow, and we’re facing down a lot of transition with my husbands career in the Navy. I’m feeling decidedly not ok sometimes. Thank you for giving me permission to be there.
Beth Williams says
Jen,
For years I, too struggled with being single and wondering if God had anyone out there for me. One day sitting at my desk at work I said OK God If you want me married, then make it happen. Soon as I turned it over to Him He showed me a wonderful man.
God has wired me more emotional than most also. I can cry at the drop of a hat. Tell me you’ve got a serious problem or a situation & I’m crying and praying for you.
I know beyond belief that it is ok to not be “Happy” all the time. Life down here can be troublesome at times.
I’m praying God will bring the right person into your life & to make you happy once again!
Heather says
My ex is getting re-married next month…we’ve been divorced about 18 mos. That has started a whole new storm inside me. Thank you for your story and reminder.
Katy says
it’s such a hard thing for me because there are those who respond with the it’s okay to not be okay but then there are those who just don’t want to deal with the messy…..and those are the ones that just make it hurt more. sigh.
my storms that still run ragged are those mixed with africa and being single. mmmhmmm.
Phronsie says
Right now I’m really feeling the blahs that come with realizing you’re monetarily worthless when it comes to being approved for home loans and wishing I hadn’t gone to college when I did or where I did. Oh well, money isn’t what matters anyway right?
Susie says
So great! Yay for honesty at last!
Teri @ StumblingAroundInTheLight says
Holley!!! This is SO God repeating Himself…
He’s been speaking this to me, showing this, repeating this, over & over the past couple of weeks. How desperately I try to hold onto the facade; how gently He pries it away.
Thanks for being His vessel –
Teri
Holley Gerth says
Thanks so much for walking through the rain with me–thinking of all you tonight with love and prayers…
Shannon Wheeler says
I think as Christians we all need to hear what you’re saying. I know I’m most encouraged in my spirit when I’m willing to hold my truth out there and let people see the brokenness and also the way the Lord binds me back up. You made a great point about the messages in churches so often that being right with the Lord looks like a smiley face or abundance we can see with our eyes or perfect health. The truth in the Word is that in this life we WILL have MANY troubles. Jesus himself was in boats going through storms. And He is the One who can calm storms, and He is the One who is with us through the storms God knows we need to endure for His glory. I’m learning so much these days about the gift of the “going through.” Every one of us has trials, and the Lord uses our openness to bless us and others. Thank you for bringing up this really important truth.
Lis says
I just wanted to thank you for such a beautiful post. I am going to link to it in an upcoming post on the anniversary of a miscarriage/ectopic pregnancy I had.