Would You Rather Have, a Flashlight or a Lighthouse?

Would You Rather Have, a Flashlight or a Lighthouse?
July 21, 2012 Lighthouse Network

July 21-22, 2012

Transformational Thought
We all experience storms in our lives. Maybe you are currently in the midst of a storm … or even multiple storms. Unfortunately, storms are a certainty in life and we often have little control over them. But we do have total power over how we react to these storms … with peace or panic. Storms are tremendous opportunities to learn about ourselves, even though they are uncomfortable, scary, and potentially dangerous.

One key lesson that we learn from the storms of life is knowing the source of our confidence, guidance, and hope. Put another way, “When I am in a storm at sea, do I want a small flashlight, or do I want the brightest Lighthouse?” When we get upset in a difficult situation, it is usually because we get our confidence from ourselves, or sometimes from others. A constant battle rages inside our hearts. We strive to be independent, masters of our destinies, taking care of our own needs, and not relying on others. This protects us from being hurt or let down; it just seems more efficient to cut others out of the loop when I need something. But this strategy breeds a false sense of confidence, a reliance on my abilities, my assets, or what I can use from others.

You see, my skills are like a flashlight. But God is a Lighthouse. Instead of getting my confidence from and relying on myself, God desires that I turn to Him, accept His protection and provision for me, and let Him grow me. He will grow us more quickly, more efficiently, and less painfully than we can grow ourselves. We all really need to get our confidence to handle everyday situations from knowing who God is, what His promises are, and what His word teaches. When we see situations and act based on our confidence in God, life, and especially its storms, is so much easier to handle. Storms actually become tremendous growth experiences.

Looking back, I see that major storms in my life changed my direction, pushing me onto a path of becoming Christ-like and developing the Mind of Christ. More importantly, those storms provided the opportunity to look for and find God as my Lighthouse. He alone provides the only real and ultimate safety and guidance for me, and for all of us.

Today, as a believer, you will find that your ultimate Lighthouse, God, will not only show you your path forward step by step, but He will also lead you to a place of refuge, a place of shelter to endure your storm. Meet today’s storm … or your next storm (for surely it will come) with peace, not panic. Take the opportunity to look for your personal Lighthouse. Find guidance and sanctuary in His perfect and infinite promises and character, not in your own finite and imperfect resources. If you know someone with an acute addiction or mental health storm, who needs to find some professional treatment options, call our Helpline. We would love to be your Lighthouse, guiding you and others on the path to God. Using a Lighthouse or a flashlight to guide you is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer
Father God, when I meet the storms of life, help me to go through them with peace, not panic. I know that to get to where You want to take me, I must go through certain storms. In Your wisdom, You designed the storms to push me to You, to know You and Your loving provision, shelter, and calm. It is not in the calms of life that I realize I will not go under, but during the storms. Allow me to get my confidence, hope, and assurance from You, and not myself. I know I am limited, weak, and not capable of controlling everything like You can. Thank You for being my Lighthouse during the storms. Thank You that during all of life’s storms there is a perfect place of refuge … a fortress of Divine grace to see me through. I pray in the name of the one who endured the greatest storm so I could have eternal safety, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say –  AMEN!

The Truth
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver me. Psalm 91:1-3

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20

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