Weathering The Storm.

On February the 18th, Joseph Stack, a software engineer in Texas, set fire to his home and then flew a plane into the IRS building in Austin, Texas.  He left behind what appears to be a lengthy suicide note.  It seems he was fed up with the IRS and the government. How did he get the point of committing such an act?

Many of you are suffering the effects of the economy and the federal governments policies like my family and I are. This past year has been an extremely trying time for me and many others.  Many people have lost their jobs or had cuts in pay. Others are live in daily fear of finding themselves in that position.

Just over a year ago my pay from the  organization I worked with was first cut by nearly 84 % one month and completely eliminated the next.  I have spent the last year trying to find a position. I have applied for well over 350 jobs and only been interviewed four times during this period.  My search has included both nationwide and international  opportunities.

Recently, my wife and I had to place our home of nine years on the market or face foreclosure.  We unlike many were fortunate enough to get it under contract within 2 weeks of putting a sign in the yard and listing it on Craigslist.  Hopefully the sale will close in the next couple of weeks.  Most people aren’t this lucky in the current housing market.  We were truly blessed to be able to get what we asked for it.

Last week I was finally selected to be the Executive director of an organization here in Missouri.  At the same time I was in the running for the host of of the local morning radio talk program.  Things looked like they were finally going to turn around.  Little did I know that our federal government had other ideas.

On Wednesday afternoon I received notice a grand jury out of Kansas City, had handed down a five count indictment against me.  This was just the culmination of nearly a year and a half of being questioned by the feds and having my friends and associates questioned.  I was included with fifteen others in an alleged business loan scheme.  Two days later of course both of the opportunities were rescinded. As a result, on Friday, I had to sell my pickup as I had no idea how I would be able to pay the next months payment.

Needless to say the last year and especially the last few days have been extremely trying and difficult. On Tuesday I have to appear in federal court to enter my not guilty plea and then wait to see when and if I will be brought to trial.  This begins a new phase in the storm I have been enduring and the even dimmer prospects for any job being forthcoming.

Many could ask, “Keith with all of this going on, what stops you from doing something similar to Mr. Stack?” My response has been driven home to me in the last 24 hours.  The difference is I have not lost my faith in God.  I realize He is sovereign and in control of even my hardships. I realize I am not beyond His grasp during these trying times. He is there beside me every step of the way.

Steve Hall on Crosswalk.Com says, “if we understand God’s sovereign control even over our hardships, it should help us see God’s purposes for that hardship and help us realize we are not beyond His grasp during trying times.”  This thought has reminded me of the fact this is not the first storm I have experienced in my life. It is however the most severe.

In the last 24 hours the Casting Crowns song, Praise You In This Storm, has been playing through my head. I understand  I could let all of this get me down like Joseph Stack if I lose sight of the big picture.  Instead I choose to praise my God through this severe storm.  It is not going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination.

My prayers is that I will not let this government or anyone else get me down.  These are truly dark and trying times.  However, I hope you can join me in looking to the following words of Casting Crowns song:

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.

As long as we keep in mind where our help will come from we can endure and overcome anything this government or anyone else sends our way.  I will not let them push me to the breaking point, because I       know we can weather the storms of life  no matter how severe they may be when we trust in the Lord our God.