When Strange Storms Rage

On the 9th of February 2022, I woke up at about 4:30 am and had a strong push in my heart to pray for my mother who was battling gastric cancer. I was still in my prayer mood when I got a call from my elder sister that my mom was in a critical condition and had been placed on life support.

I sent messages to some of my friends to pray for my mom while I set out to go see her at the hospital.
By the time I got to the hospital, she had passed on. I wept bitterly looking at my mom’s lifeless body on the hospital bed. I refused to be consoled until I sensed a divine atmosphere around me and I saw my mom smiling in heaven. I quickly wiped away my tears knowing that she is in a place of eternal bliss where there is no pain or sickness.

I remembered that I still saw her the weekend before her death, I never imagined that I won’t speak to her again. God knows best.

We had to bury her three days after her death. After the funeral, I had to resume back to work. The pressure became too much on me and I started having some strange symptoms. I was scared for my life because of the backlog of health issues I was dealing with before then.

I was recommended to go for two major medical procedures barely three weeks after my mom’s burial.

In all of this, I was dealing with a toxic work environment. It was as if all hell was let loose. I couldn’t pray as I used to. I became emotionally numb. I had to resort to deep Bible study and occasional worship.

It’s tough to sustain a joyful atmosphere amid strange storms and painful experiences but I constantly had to remind myself that joy is my perpetual atmosphere and I can’t lose it even if I’m going through hell and high waters.

I’m still trusting God for victory over all the situations that are threatening my joy but through it all, I rejoice.

While I was meditating on God’s word this morning, I was inspired to write this short piece.

Joy is the seal of God’s presence.
It’s the atmosphere of heaven.
Heaven is where God lives.
So, because God lives within me.
I am heaven’s expression on earth.
Even if I am going through hell,
God still lives in and with me.
I will never forget who I am.
I will never lose my joy.
I am heaven’s expression on earth.
I perpetually host God’s presence.
Joy is my eternal atmosphere.

I hope to fully get back on my feet emotionally. But in the meantime, I will keep basking in the joy of God’s presence.

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
Habakkuk 3:17 KJV

Have a great one, friends.
Love and light,
Adeleke Adeite