REFRESH MINISTRY WOMEN
  • Home
    • About
  • Blog
    • Submit a Blog
    • Refresh Writing Team
  • Events
    • Breakaway
    • Connect Groups >
      • Group Leaders >
        • Cockrum
        • Hildebrand
        • Hambrick
        • Magness
        • Miller & Scheperle
        • Poe
        • Pritchett
        • Washam
        • Gray
    • Area Connections
  • NWM
    • NWM
    • NWM Events
  • Contact
  • Resources

But, What Do We Believe About God?

4/6/2020

7 Comments

 
by Kelly Godzwa
PicturePhoto by Ravi Pinisetti on Unsplash

​My morning meditation was entitled, “Finding Courage in the Storm.” It was certainly appropriate and timely given the state of our world and the “storm” that is COVID-19 with its effects. You see, I decided to read the book Meeting God in Scripture by Jan Johnson, which contains forty guided meditations, during Lent this year. As I read Chapter 21 and the passage from Mark 4:35-41, I followed some of the author’s suggestions—thinking of a time when God calmed your fears, reading and rereading the passage, understanding certain words or phrases a bit more deeply, picturing the scene, placing yourself in the story, etc.
 
I thought back to a time last year when anxiety came over me as Dave and I sat in a bank in Mexico working through the steps to get the money from the sale of our vehicle that was in the Mexican bank transferred to a US account. Even though we went through correct protocol, one glitch after another seemed to arise. There we waited—not in control of the situation and powerless to do anything about it, but not really able to leave or distract our minds with something else. How hard can it be? They’re a bank! Don’t they do things like this every day? What if the money is stuck here? What if. . .? As fear rose in me, the Holy Spirit reminded me of an exercise to name the things I was feeling, thinking, and doing. I found paper in my purse and began writing. Frustration had turned into worry. But, what did I believe about God?  What was true in my situation? Who, but God, could turn this situation around OR give me peace in the midst of it?
 
As I read this story Mark writes about Jesus’ disciples—with Him asleep in the boat when a storm suddenly springs up—I have to smirk a bit as I picture it. The first thing I realized is that the disciples must have been furiously working to scoop water out and man the sails when someone notices that Jesus isn’t helping! How could Jesus sleep at a time like this? We’re all going to drown! “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?” It seems as if they just wanted His help, but He appeared to be oblivious to their peril. Then much to their surprise when He does gets up, He doesn’t grab a bucket. He speaks. However, he speaks not to them, but to the wind and the waves! “Be quiet! Be still!”
​
 
When I read this passage aloud, tears came to my eyes. Although a different type of anxiety from what I felt while sitting at the bank, there is fear in the hearts and minds of many of us as we face the unknown—the storm with its effects. Perhaps, like the disciples, we are scooping out water, lowering the sails, and trying to lessen the severity of the consequences. Our frustration turns to worry, and we wonder if God is asleep. Why won’t He help? But. . .what do we believe about God? What is true in our situation? Who, but God, can turn this situation around OR give us peace in the midst of it?
 
Let’s name our fears. What are we thinking, feeling, & doing? How does that align with the fact that Jesus has power over wind and waves? Might He have power over viruses, too? Our fears are not silly or small; it just helps to readjust our perspective in light of what we know to be true about our God. Do we have faith in Him? He doesn’t tend to work like we want Him to or when we think He should, but when He does act, we will be in awe, reminded again of Who loves us and sees us, even at our most vulnerable moments.


Picture
Kelly and her husband, Dave, have served as SOMO missionaries to Mexico since 2006. While they have recently moved into the role of Mexico Area Directors, she remains active online as publisher of the Refresh Newsletter and is a part of the District's Connect Refresh groups.  They have 2 college-age children, a son in high school and a miniature schnauzer. disciplemexico.org

7 Comments
Denise Roop
4/7/2020 11:35:32 am

Thanks, Kelly, for the great reminder to check ourselves and what we believe about God! Who, but God - so powerful!

Reply
Vicki
4/7/2020 12:24:36 pm

Thank you for your comment, Denise. Kelly’s article is so timely for the season in which we are living right now.

Reply
Kelly E Godzwa
4/7/2020 03:10:48 pm

Thank you, Denise and Vicki. With each new day or situation, we keep coming back to what we believe. I'm so thankful that our God is also patient with us!

Reply
Terry Magness
4/7/2020 12:57:09 pm

Kelly, what a wonderful piece. Is God in charge or isn't He? I can certainly identify with your emotional experience at the bank.Feeling out of control isn't fun, but it is good spiritual training. We can sink or we can keep our eyes set upon things above. Thank you, Kelly for your sensitivity and transparency.

Reply
Kelly E Godzwa
4/7/2020 03:14:10 pm

Terry, I'm so thankful that we connected through the Refresh groups last year. You are such a blessing to me!

Reply
Jill St John
4/7/2020 04:06:37 pm

What a great reminder, Kelly! -- thank you! Jesus has the power!

Reply
Max Jaffe link
8/28/2023 01:47:43 am

This was lovely to readd

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    This is a safe place for ministry wives and women ministers to be renewed, resourced, and build relationships with others just like you.

    Search Our Blog Archives by Keyword Below

    Categories

    All
    Books
    Healing
    Health
    Leadership
    Marriage & Family
    Mental Health
    Ministry
    Personal Growth
    Relationships
    Women

    Archives

    March 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    September 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • About
  • Blog
    • Submit a Blog
    • Refresh Writing Team
  • Events
    • Breakaway
    • Connect Groups >
      • Group Leaders >
        • Cockrum
        • Hildebrand
        • Hambrick
        • Magness
        • Miller & Scheperle
        • Poe
        • Pritchett
        • Washam
        • Gray
    • Area Connections
  • NWM
    • NWM
    • NWM Events
  • Contact
  • Resources