It was a Dark and Stormy Night…

Posted on July 28, 2010
Filed Under Personal, Theology |

“What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:27

Few things evoke a picture of fear more than the “dark and stormy night”.

Darkness, of course is one of the main ingredients, because we fear the unknown more than anything. Darkness veils reality leaving our imaginations to dream up monsters or snakes or boogey men lurking in the night waiting to jump out at us.

The storm adds the next main ingredient because the lightning briefly reveals strange and scary images, barely discernable as the flickers of light add to our fearful imagination.

The third ingredient is the thunder and the sounds that accompany the wind and the rain. A loud thunderclap will make us jump, but maybe not as much as the banging of the shutters or an open window (“How did that get open? Is someone in the house?”) or a limb that crashes against the window pane just as the lightning briefly highlights the wet leaves and twisted branches shaking in the tumult. Surely something sinister and hideous is hiding in the dark. “Wait, didn’t something just move over there?!”

Ah! The cinematic magic of the “dark and stormy night”!

Well, not long ago, it was a “dark and stormy night” at our house. The thunder was making things quiver and it was hard to sleep. My wife got up and walked out into the living room.

Then she screamed out my name.

I jumped up and ran to where she was standing looking out at the deck door. Then the lightning flashed and revealed a figure standing there.

Another flash…the figure was hairy…

Another flash…it was a six-foot hairy beast leaning on our deck railing right up next to the glass doors.

It was a dark and stormy night…

I would like to tell you that I was calm and collected, a courageous man, cool under the pressures of the frightful unknown.

The reality is, when that first lightning flash revealed a tall, hairy beast standing on my deck, my body reacted with adrenalin and fear.

It really was a scary sight.

But it didn’t take long to realize that this “hairy beast” was a bear, standing on our deck having a midnight snack. He had opened the hummingbird feeder (amazing how he could do that) and with his elbows leaning on the deck railing, was drinking the sweet nectar. Then he moved to the bird feeder and began to eat the bird seed.

Once we had gotten over our initial shock and fright, I immediately ran to get my camera. It is hard to capture images on a dark and stormy night, so I eventually had to turn on the porch light and put the lens up against the glass.

By the way, just because you have discovered that the “bump in the night” isn’t a hideous monster, doesn’t mean the cinematic effects aren’t still there. When you are a few inches away in the pitch blackness and the lightning flashes and reveals a bear looking back at you…it is still scary!

So, here he is (he or she? I forgot to ask!).

Can you see the sunflower seeds on his lips?

Another adventure in the Black Forest of Colorado.

Is there something in your life that is causing you fear? Is there something that pops into your mind and makes your adrenalin flow? Are you worried about something?

Fear is a good thing when it is matched with a real danger. I used to ride a motorcycle and I promised myself that I would stop riding if I ever got on that bike without a healthy fear.

But most people spend hours and hours worried about the future…worried and fearful about things that never happen.

The disciples were in a boat one time and they were fearful about losing their lives. Jesus had just told them on the Mount that they were not supposed to worry. He told them that God was everything that He had revealed Himself to be: the God who would provide; the God who held yesterday, today and tomorrow; the God who could be trusted. But the lesson wasn’t solidified in their minds until Jesus took them into the dark and stormy night.

They were filled with fear.

Then Jesus stood and spoke to the darkness and the storm and the wind and the waves and said “Be still.”

And the sea instantly became as glass.

And the disciples began to get it. They said “Who is this, that even the wind and the waves obey him?”

They saw the reality that God is truly in control.

This may not mean that the adrenalin won’t flow next time I see the lightning reveal an eerie image of a huge hairy beast standing on my deck, but I hope that for you and me, continually reminding ourselves of this truth during our “dark and stormy nights”…or days, will reduce the times we worry about things that will never happen.

“Be anxious for nothing” the Scripture says.

That’s good advice.

Comments

24 Responses to “It was a Dark and Stormy Night…”

  1. Tony on July 28th, 2010 9:33 am

    Del: [The question is] Do we walk by faith or do we walk by sight? When Peter walked on water, he walked by faith keeping his eyes on our Lord; but when he began to walk by sight, doubt happened and he began to sink. When we go through a storm, we need to remember what God says in Romans 8 that He won’t let anything happen to us that’s above what we can endure. God is always there.

    There are black bear where I live. They tend to be vegetarians for the most part and will generally run away from people unless there is a female with cubs or if a bear is helping himself to a midnight snack at someone’s garbage can.

  2. Christi on July 28th, 2010 1:40 pm

    Life is full of uncertainty, and “dark and stormy nights”. It is so wonderful knowing that God is not uncertain, and He promises to lead us through the storms, to times of rest and peace. I often have to refer to Eph 6, and God’s armor, and visualize putting on each piece of His armor, to help me survive the storm.
    Thank you for the story, and I plan to pass it on. Blessings, Christi

  3. Karen on July 28th, 2010 2:27 pm

    What a profound lesson…
    I am struck by the fact that even though Jesus told the disciples not to fear, it was their first reaction when caught in the storm. Sometimes we see ourselves as failing when our first reaction is fear when that is the human reaction. It is through the Holy Spirit, Scripture memory and other Christians that the truths of Scripture remind us who is in control and we can truly rest in His arms during these hard times. I know I can get down on myself when I realize that I have “failed” again to fully rely on God in all circumstances immmediately. The truth is that I fail when I ignore the nudges from the Holy Spirit, the scripture God sets before and the counsel of other Christians during this time to turn to God and let Him work it all out for good according to His purpose.

  4. Michaela on July 28th, 2010 9:55 pm

    Del,

    Was it a coincidence that you posted this today? Certainly not!

    I have been waiting on the Lord to provide for some specific needs in my life. At first, I found it easy to faithfully wait on Him. As time passed, however, my anxiety started to grow and just this morning I allowed doubt to overcome me as I found myself playing out all of the what-if scenarios in my mind.

    No matter how many times it happens, I am still in awe when God uses someone who, though a brother in Christ, is a stranger to me on Earth to touch my life at just the right time.

    Thank you for allowing yourself to be used by the Lord!

  5. Kathy on July 30th, 2010 11:37 pm

    What a surprise I had when I found you at Coral Ridge. It was a nice surprise.

    My husband and I watched, listened and discussed The Truth Project completely through twice. Then we had to give it up. I hope it will come our way again someday.

    It has been some time since our daughter and son-in-law attended and worked at Coral Ridge. They
    now reside in Gainesville, but won’t forget the wonderful memories they had while at Coral Ridge. Dr. Kennedy baptized their triplets who are now sixteen. Time does fly.

    Our whole family has been through dark and stormy nights, but with Jesus holding our hands and lovingly taking us step by step, we are always able to get through the storms with our eyes fastened on Him.

    I wish I could put into words how much The Truth Project has meant to us, but I will leave that up
    to our Lord and Savior. In the meantime, keep on
    writing, speaking,and listening to the Lord as you
    travel along The Way.

  6. Ann on August 1st, 2010 5:37 am

    RE: The Community Tour

    Del

    Your personal transparency was inspiring – and your heartfelt desire to seek forgiveness from “the foo” touched me. I hope that you realize that by following your Fathers advice you covered a multitude of offenses. You see I also was a “foo” by other names and I had a Del in my life that made all the difference not by what he said but by his actions (specifically asking me to dance). When you are a foo it is not about having a good time at the “dance or sock hop” but it is transforming when you receive honor and respect as a person. The group name calling hurts at one level – the outer shell – the one on one acknowledgment heals to the core.

    Ann

  7. Jeff on August 7th, 2010 7:41 am

    Del,
    Great story! My wife screams at a bug on the floor, so I don’t know which is more scary - big and hairy or small and hairy. Anyway, when Jesus and the disciples were in the storm, we tend to overlook the central teaching of the event. It wasn’t that He had power to still the elements. It was the fact that (as Mark records for us) Jesus was sleeping on the pillow while the storm raged trusting that His heavenly Father was watching over Him. I preach a lesson called “Pillow Faith.” Jesus had it; the disciples didn’t. We need it. Blessings.

  8. Chris on August 11th, 2010 12:27 pm

    You said, “The disciples were in a boat one time and they were fearful about losing their lives. Jesus had just told them on the Mount that they were not supposed to worry. He told them that God was everything that He had revealed Himself to be: the God who would provide; the God who held yesterday, today and tomorrow; the God who could be trusted. But the lesson wasn’t solidified in their minds until Jesus took them into the dark and stormy night. ”

    Don’t forget to add - before they got into the boat, Jesus said to them, “Come, let us go on over to the other side.” (Not an exact quote, pulling that from memory).

    He already promised they would get to the other side. They needed to trust in His words (as should we!).
    [Great point, Chris. The promises of God are yea and yea! What He has promised and planned, He will carry out. (Isa 46) DT]

  9. jacque on August 13th, 2010 4:02 pm

    That’s such a neat picture. Who knew bears had such pointy noses.
    [It was his pointy claws that I was more concerned with! :) DT]

  10. James on August 17th, 2010 5:58 pm

    Is that bear a REAL blond?
    [As in "a natural blond"? I didn't ask. :) dt]

  11. Lynne on August 17th, 2010 8:16 pm

    i hope you are taking in any feeders at nighttime now!!we don’t want to tempt the wildlife to resort to humans for their food..it is part of our responsibility to care for God’s Creation..

  12. Andrea on August 17th, 2010 11:43 pm

    Great blog!!!! Truth in capitol letters. Del, how can we SHARE this particular blog on Facebook? I don’t see a SHARE button???
    [Andrea, glad you enjoyed it. I don't know. I'll ask the web guys about how to make that happen. Thanks for commenting. dt]

  13. Kimberly on August 18th, 2010 12:02 am

    I just now read this, sitting here in the dark at 12:45am. It is a dark and stormy scary night in the physical and sprititual. My husband died 2 years ago in Oct 2008, leaving me with our 5 children to raise. The oldest son will be leaving on Saturday to begin college. The next oldest and the middle, both daughters, begin their Senior and Sophomore years of High School tomorrow. The 4th one, my next son will be in 6th grade and my youngest boy will be in 3rd grade. But he wants to be homeschooled. I don’t feel adequate to this task of being a single mom. I never asked or planned for this. It is still so painful missing my dear husband, companion, and very best friend! I miss the spiritual covering and Godly leadership I would have had through these times with him. I face the fears of a future alone, daughters getting mixed up in the wrong crowds again like in last year, sons who are no being challenged and yet I don’t see myself doing much better for them if I keep them home. The house needs to be remodeled and I need a vehicle for my daughter to have to help with all the transportation to and from school etc. I feel so clueless to make these decisions. I feel like the whole world is resting on my shoulders and I am the one that will make or break their destinies. I know they are in Father God’s Hands, not mine. But YES< as others have said, even when God tells us DO NOT BE AFRAID… I AM VERY AFRAID. I think when God gives us a command … like Fear Not … He knows we have to walk them out. SO, the best place to learn to do that is to be put in a situation that will illicit the knee-jerk response. We don’t “fail” so much but rather we see our weaknesses and have the chance to practice making them better … we grow in the midst of the trial. God sets us up by allowing these bad things to happen to bring forth our character which needs to be forged in the furnace of the trial.
    [Kimberly, sounds like you are a lot farther down this path that you think. I am so sorry for your loss and wish I could be of help. I pray the body of Christ around you will come alongside and provide the support and help you need. You have an enormous task before you, but the Lord will continue to be your strength. Trust Him. He promised He would never leave your or forsake you...never. dt]

  14. Lenny on August 18th, 2010 4:52 am

    I appreciate your story of the storm and I can relate to it minus the bear but a person standing there. Only to realize it was a friend. Storms in our lives are going to happen whether it is a death in the family or a divorce or an accident or loss of a job, what is important about storms is it test us to see how strong our faith in God is. Unfortunately a lot of us fail because our faith is similar to the seed that falls among the path and springs up but when the sun comes out it withers and dies. storms tells us how frail we are and we need to stand firm on Gods word. Thank you so much for the Truth project It has been an eye opener to me and my friends.
    [It's all part of being exposed before God, isn't it? But that exposure is before a loving Father. Thanks for being a part of the Truth Project. dt]

  15. Berta on August 18th, 2010 7:31 am

    No matter how much we try to walk the talk, our humanity takes over in a moment of freight. The Lord knows us so much and warns us not to be afraid and to trust, the very things we fail to do in a moment of reaction. His grace and compassion for us is because He knows our human weaknesses. All the studies we have, all the years in Him, in a moment our humanity will take over and then only His grace will sustain us. “Do not be afraid” the Lord warns us before, because He knows we will. Then He takes control! while we are afraid.
    [That's why it is called "Amazing Grace", no! dt]

  16. Trey on August 18th, 2010 7:47 am

    I love how the first thing an angel says is “Don’t be afraid.” Right. Don’t be afraid of this otherworldly, powerful being that you believed in but never saw before. Think how much worse it must be if you do NOT beleive!

    Trey
    [I agree that the angelic comforting statement may not help a whole lot, but it sure beats "BOO!" dt]

  17. Angeleta on August 18th, 2010 7:51 am

    Thanks so much, Del! Funny and true, too! Sometimes…on my dark and storm-filled nights…I find myself thankful for the the lightening…actually LOOKING for the lightening.
    Why? Because then, I could see whatever was “out there” or whatever WASN’T “out there”!
    Storms are not necessarily “bad”! God uses them for His glory and honor and for our good.

    Isaiah 45:6-8

    That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun
    That there is no one besides Me.
    I am the LORD, and there is no other,
    The One forming light and creating darkness,
    Causing well-being and creating calamity;
    I am the LORD who does all these.

    [I actually love the storms we have here in Colorado. The thunder and lightning are awesome. But the awesome diminishes a bit when the lightning reveals a hairy beast on the deck! Thanks for commenting! dt]

  18. Eileen on August 18th, 2010 12:22 pm

    Thank you for sharing this story. I was sitting here on my computer, very anxious over something (over which I have no control!) and I was about to make a hasty call to solve the problem myself when God prompted me to read this first. Grateful for the reminder, I am now content to wait on God’s timing! It is comforting to remember that God is in control and that He knows everything.

    [Eileen, thanks for the note. We know there is a delicate balance between waiting on the Lord and acting out of faith. Swinging too early or too late both result in a strike. When we act too early, it is usually out of our desire to play out our own scripts. Waiting too long, however, can lead to total inaction. Sounds to me like you have a good handle on it! :) dt]

  19. Del on August 18th, 2010 3:03 pm

    Del, I am so glad that you are still around this area & I hope that you will continue to share your great Godly wisdom & passion for our Lord. You are a treasure of spiritual knowledge. We have watched the truth project many times because we have shown it many times to small groups in our home. It is one of a kind. Thank you for sharing your spiritual messages. My wife Judy worked for Jim Davis at Focus. May God’s blessings shower you & your household abundantly.
    Del
    [Thanks for the kind words. I am more and more aware, however, that I am merely the donkey in all of this. Thank you for being a part of the Truth Project. It is amazing how the Lord is blessing it! dt]

  20. Dennis on August 18th, 2010 3:22 pm

    On 28 Jul 2010, a comment was posted, re the bear incident, that cited Romans 8 as promising that we will never be confronted by anything beyond what we can endure. The following sentence of the comment states that God is always there. It is true that nothing ever separates us from God’s love, as clearly stated in Rom 8. In addition, it is true that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear (pardon the pun) — 1 Cor 10:13. However, we should not be disillusioned when we face circumstances that are far beyond our ability to endure. For in 2 Cor 1:8-10, we are told that is precisely what we should expect so that we will learn to not rely on ourselves, but on God. This establishes our hope in Him and He gets the glory.

    [Thanks, Dennis...and I enjoyed the pun! I agree that Romans 8 doesn't give that promise. It is true that we glorify our Father greatly in those times where we confess that we do not have the ability or strength to endure and we finally, finally rest in Him. It is a tough lesson that we must learn over and over again. Thanks for the comment. dt]

  21. Lynnette on August 18th, 2010 8:57 pm

    Thanks for the reminder of God’s presence and sovereignty even when there are things that scare us. My community (Williams Lake)is facing evacuation alerts and orders due to the raging forest fires in BC and my family lives on a forested mountainside close to town. Even if we must leave our home at some point, God is in control. He is my peace.

    [I too, live in a dense forest and understand the reality of the danger from forest fires. I pray your community and family are spared, but your statement remains the bottom line no matter what. Thanks for your comment. dt]

  22. Martha on August 18th, 2010 9:08 pm

    We have been in a “dark, stormy” night since June 6 when my 19-yr-old nephew suffered serious a serious brain injury while roping here at the ranch. He has been in a coma since the accident and is now at Craig Hospital in Denver. God has provided daily miracles of progress but we still wait for Tim to be fully restored and “awake” in God’s time. Jesus has been ever-present in the storm. Thank you for your reminders!

    [Martha, I am sure there will be many who read your comments that will be praying for Tim. Thank you for the great testimony of the Lord's presence in the midst of the trial. He is faithful! dt]

  23. Shirley on August 19th, 2010 12:26 am

    I am flabergasted! How in the world did the person who sent this to me, know that my husband and I are involved with the Truth Project!!! Tomorrow, August 19th, we will be doing the 12th Lesson for the Truth Project. We have been told that this last lesson is really something to look forward to. But it still amazes me that I would receive this email regarding The Truth Project. So far, we have found The Truth Project to be very beneficial and would highly recommend it to anybody.

    [Shirley, I don't know how you got on the Truth Project e-newsletter list, but thank you for being involved and leading a group. The Lord is blessing it and continues to multiply it around the world. Hopefully, you, too will see new groups spawned from yours. Soli Deo Gloria! dt]

  24. C.J. on August 23rd, 2010 6:22 am

    Thanks for the reminder…I have been struggling each morning with fear and anxiety from the time I wake up….the “big boogie men” loom “out there” in society. I look at what evil is doing in our country and around the world and sometimes I forget that GOD IS IN CONTROL AND BIGGER THAN ANY “boogie men”….
    Your words reminded me of that today….I am picturing Jesus in the boat, speaking to the storm with AUTHORITY….He is in my boat too…(and all those who are called by HIS Name)…
    Thanks!

    [We all need to be reminded, C.J. I'll do that for you today and you will do that for me tomorrow. dt]

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