Praise You in This Storm

by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God 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

Chorus:
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
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 You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

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

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth


I'm not usually a big Casting Crowns fan. I tend to like my music a little "harder," but this song won't leave me alone lately. I've come to realize the storms of life are a constant. There is no such thing as still waters. Not in this life, not as a Christian.

Time has taught, and is teaching me, that life is full of trials. You have to roll with the waves or get sucked under. God didn't put me on this earth for the easy ride. I've rebelled against that lesson for a lot of years. I guess now I've accepted it, at least as far as I'm able. The rest I leave to Jesus to show me the way.

What calls on me most in this song is the idea of praising God in this storm. It doesn't make sense at all to our human natures, but what's truly amazing is that it makes perfect sense to our spirits. When we praise Him in the midst of our storms, our burdens are lightened. That's because He comes along side us to help carry the load, or even carry us.

What trials or storms are you facing today? I know it's hard sometimes to see God's hand, his great plan. How can we trust He has our best interest at heart when the punches come one after another? That's the thing, we don't know. We have to trust and believe God. Believe He's right there, ready to carry us. Believe his promises. Believe He loves us with a consuming passion.

I'll leave you with that thought for now. Next stop—freedom. Stay tuned...