Getting Through the Storms and Facing the Mountains with God: What I’ve Learned in the Last Twelve Years

Do you have a certain time of the year that you think about lessons learned, how far you have come and where you are now? Maybe it’s a time like now (which would be the end of a school year in normal time), or at the beginning of a new year. Maybe it’s an event that completely changed the trajectory of your life and you look at life from that moment. I know for me one of those is losing Dad, but one of the main ones is this time of the year – around my recovery anniversary and Mother’s Day.
Why?
Because my relationship with my Mother is one of the biggest parts of my life I’ve had to work through. Also because, 12 years ago on Mother’s Day, I got on a plane from Philadelphia where my Mom lives to go to treatment in Florida. All I thought then was that I was going to treatment for my addictions. Little did I know how much my relationship with her would change from that day. So that’s why I take this time of the year to reflect.
Those few years in recovery were stormy with her. Sometimes the rift between us felt like huge mountains, like we might never talk again. Other times it felt really stormy, like I was a sailor in extremely rough seas and had no idea when I was ever going to get back to land. From disagreements, misunderstandings, to long periods of time not talking and hard hard discussions, we seriously had our struggles. You would think things would get better when I got to treatment, but they got worse between us for quite a while. In fact, whenever God puts someone in my life who struggles with their Mom, I believe it is no mistake. It’s those moments where I can share my testimony and help another.
You know why? Because it did get better. Slowly. Really slowly. God healed our relationship in his time, not ours. To God be the glory.
Of course we still have our differences, but we respect each other for them and try to love each other where we’re at.
I really believe if it were not for the storms and the mountains, I would not be where I am today. Those years of struggle with her also contained many beautiful things like getting sober, meeting my future husband, getting engaged and married. They also contained other difficulties like losing Dad and grieving what was the relationship with Mom that had to change in order to get better. Those mountains that seemed insurmountable, became surmountable with God. Those storms that seemed like they would never end, did end. The beauty came through the pain. God was working hard and I am grateful for every broken road, every tear, every painful conversation, every time period of not talking to my Mom. Every one.
Have you had a season like this in your life that felt like the storms would never end or the mountain seemed insurmountable? Is that season right now, in quarantine? Is it the overwhelm of motherhood? Is it the stress of not knowing when we’ll go back to normal? Whatever it is, remember God is in control of the storm.
Job 9:5 says, “It is God who removes the mountains.”
Maybe we’re supposed to be reminded right now that life is in a constant state of change that only God has control of and that’s how it’s supposed to be.
Maybe we need to remember what we’ve heard about the storms of life.
Dolly Parton said, “Storms make trees take deeper roots.”
How bout this one?
“The devil whispered in my ear, “You’re not strong enough to withstand the storm.” Today I whispered in the devil’s ear, “I am the storm.”
“Not all the storms of life come to disrupt your life. Some come to clear your path.”
and
“When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what the storm’s all about.” – Haruki Murakam
And the most famous, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Let me share with you where in Scripture I was led to on this storm topic. It’s in the Psalms. Go to 107. It’s one of thanksgiving to God for bringing the lost ones out of their storms and it starts in verse 23 and the Psalmists are referring to what happened when some of the lost went out to sea and what happened. This is from the New Living Translation version,
“Some went off to sea in ships,
plying the trade routs of the world.
They, too, observed the Lord’s power in action,
his impressive works on the deepest seas.
He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves.
Their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths;
the sailors cringed in terror.
They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits end.
‘Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves.
What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely to harbor.”
Psalm 107: 23-30
This passage reminds me that even when the seas are rough, and I’m scared – the Lord will carry me through to stillness. He can do the same for you.
And when those storms feel more like mountains…What do we know from the Word about the mountains? That our strength doesn’t come from them – it comes from the Lord. He is greater than the mountains we face.
“I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalm 121:1-8
He will NOT let us stumble.
He will NOT slumber or sleep.
He stands beside you as a protective shade.
He keeps you from ALL harm and watches over your life.
He keeps watch over you as you come and go…
Both now and forever!!
So those mountains? Yeah, they don’t scare our God. Nothing can move him.
He works his plan in the MESS. Our mess is right where He’s creating His message.
And guess what, all you need is faith as small as a mustard seed. That is surely what I started out with on this journey. After years of being raised in religion, at 30 years old I finally realized all I needed was a little real faith to truly lean on Him for my life.
Matthew 17:20 says,
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
It’s all based on faith.
Through every trial, through every storm, through every mountaintop I’ve faced – my faith has grown and the Lord has shown me He is truly FAITHFUL. He’s not going anywhere. THAT is what I learned in this last season, these last 12 years.
“I’m not going anywhere Meredith. (Period),” is the steady message I’ve heard.
Maybe now is a good time for you to get some perspective on where you’ve been and where you are going.
What are the storms God has brought you through? What are the ones He’s bringing you through? What are your mountains? Do you see that your help comes from God? Maybe now is the time to lean on Him a little bit more and truly see that no matter what comes out of this, He’s still going to be there. Period.
Do you know the story about eagles and storms? Eagles are the only bird that loves a storm. In fact, they fly into the storm because they know they can use the pressure of the storm to fly high above it. God created them so their wings lock in order for them to rise above it. It’s like as soon as that storm comes, they are created to be set and secure.
Do you know this about yourself and your creator? He gave you these Scriptures to help prepare you and secure you for the storms of this life.
May your faith help you rise above the storms and help you see that God is doing a work in you. You may not see it now but he IS.
One more thing, there are two songs that remind me of how He is present in storms and greater than the mountains so I’m sharing them with you here in case you need some music for reflection.
This is really attention-grabbing, You are an excessively professional blogger.
I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to in search of extra of your great post.
Additionally, I’ve shared your site in my social networks
Review my site CBD for Sale
What’s up colleagues, nice article and pleasant urging commented at this place, I am actually enjoying by these.
Thank you!
Howdy! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would
be ok. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to
new updates.
I wish I could say I do. I need to MORE. You’ve inspired me.
Somebody essentially lend a hand to make seriously posts I’d state.
That is the first time I frequented your website page and to this point?
I amazed with the analysis you made to make this particular submit extraordinary.
Wonderful job!
Well, thank you so much!!
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your
blog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog
posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently
quickly.
Awesome! THANK YOU!
I know this website presents quality based posts and additional information, is there any other website which gives these kinds of information in quality?
Ha! I wish I knew! Watch some of my videos or follow my podcast at Tune in with Meredith. I just try to produce the best quality I can for my readers, viewers and listeners!
I have read so many articles about the blogger lovers but this article is actually a pleasant piece of writing, keep it up.
thank you!
This info is priceless. When can I find out more?
Howdy, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i
was just wondering if you get a lot of spam responses? If so how do you stop it,
any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me
crazy so any assistance is very much appreciated.
I get some good ones but also spam, yes! Not sure. Just mark them as spam when they pop up!
Wonderful work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the net. Shame on Google for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my website . Thanks =)
I just like the helpful information you provide for your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and check again right here frequently.
I am reasonably sure I will be told lots of new stuff proper here!
Good luck for the following!
Fabulous, what a weblog it is! This webpage gives valuable information to us, keep it up.
Thanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate
your efforts and I am waiting for your next write
ups thanks once again.
Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to help
with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but
I’m not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please share.
Many thanks!
I love reading through a post that can make people think.
Also, many thanks for allowing for me to comment!
Very soon this website will be famous among
all blog viewers, due to it’s fastidious posts
I am really inspired with your writing abilities and also
with the structure to your blog. Is that this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
Either way keep up the excellent high quality writing, it is uncommon to peer a great blog like
this one nowadays..
I am curious to find out what blog platform you have been using?
I’m experiencing some small security issues with my latest
blog and I’d like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?
WordPress
Appreciate the recommendation. Let me try it out.
If you would like to improve your know-how only keep visiting
this website and be updated with the most recent news posted here.
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I’m quite certain I’ll
learn a lot of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and also the rest of the site is also very good.
Hi there, after reading this amazing article
i am too glad to share my know-how here with
mates.
I am genuinely thankful to the holder of this site who has shared
this fantastic paragraph at at this time.
Hi to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of this web site; this weblog consists of
remarkable and genuinely fine data in favor of
visitors.
Right here is the right site for anyone who hopes to
understand this topic. You realize a whole lot its almost
tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa).
You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic which has been written about for decades.
Great stuff, just great!
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the
layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme
or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing,
it is rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays.
Every weekend i used to pay a quick visit this web page, for the reason that i wish for
enjoyment, for the reason that this this website conations
actually fastidious funny material too.
Hey! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds
me of my old room mate! He always kept chatting about this.
I will forward this post to him. Fairly certain he
will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
I was recommended this web site through my cousin. I am not positive whether or
not this submit is written by way of him as
nobody else understand such targeted about my difficulty.
You are incredible! Thank you!
Glad to heart it!
It’s hard to find educated people in this particular topic, however, you seem like you know what
you’re talking about! Thanks
If some one needs to be updated with newest technologies therefore he must be go to see this website and
be up to date everyday.
wonderful submit, very informative. I ponder why the
other experts of this sector do not realize this. You must
continue your writing. I am confident, you’ve a huge readers’
base already!
Thanks so much!
Thank you for every other informative website. Where else may I get that type
of info written in such a perfect manner?
I’ve a undertaking that I’m simply now working on, and I have been on the glance out for such info.
Not sure but thanks for your comments!
I am now not positive where you’re getting your info, but good topic.
I must spend a while learning much more or figuring out more.
Thank you for fantastic information I used to be on the lookout for this
information for my mission.
Excellent pieces. Keep posting such kind of information on your blog.
Im really impressed by it.
Hi there, You’ve done a great job. I will certainly digg it and
in my opinion suggest to my friends. I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this website.
That is really attention-grabbing, You are a very skilled blogger.
I’ve joined your rss feed and stay up for in the hunt for more of your fantastic
post. Additionally, I’ve shared your site in my social networks
Great ! Thank you so much!!
Hey there, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but
when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, very
good blog!
THanks for the heads up!
Your pictures look wonderful !!!
Buy Legal Steroids from United States
BUY STEROIDS IN UNITED STATES
Balkan (https://balkan-pharmaceuticals.org/) pharmaceuticals (https://balkan-pharmaceuticals.org/)
BP Danabol 50mg
BP Strombafort 10mg
BP Oxandrolon- Anavar
BP Clomed 50mg
Can I Buy Steroids in United States
keep up the good work
Thank you!
I have been surfing on-line greater than 3 hours lately,
but I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours.
It is beautiful value sufficient for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made just right content as you probably did, the internet will be a lot more helpful than ever before.
Excellent blog you have here.. It’s hard to find good quality writing like yours nowadays. I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
Hello I am so grateful I found your blog page, I
really found you by accident, while I was researching on Askjeeve for something else,
Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a marvelous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all
at the minute but I have saved it and also included your RSS
feeds, so when I have time I will be back to
read a lot more, Please do keep up the excellent work.