I am NOT the storm.

This post was going to be about music.  That will have to wait, because WOW did I get sidetracked today!  

Today marks five years since I survived an unprovoked acute pulmonary embolism. Although there is much to celebrate considering survival rates and risk factors surrounding my situation, that is not my focus here. As I have for the last 4 years, I set out this morning to find an informative graphic to post on social media as my own personal Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Day. (Seriously, know the signs - save a life!) Anyway, during my search, I came across this graphic: 

My first instinctive response was, “Heck yes! I am a PE survivor. I kicked that PE’s butt. HooYa!”  

But then….  Wait. That is stupid. I am no theologian and may very well be wrong about all of this, but I call malarkey. This meme is telling me to talk to the devil and claim to be a storm.

I am not the storm. The storm is (whatever is currently) the calamity in our lives, in my case on this day five years ago - a life threatening health event that tested my faith. These tests in our lives make us wonder - did the devil cause this and did God allow this to happen? I can speculate what spiritual warfare was going on or why me, etc, but being five years out and looking back, the storm had one major benefit: It did strengthen my faith. I was scared; I turned to God. He has comforted and strengthened me. So, no, I am not the storm. I want to praise Him in the storm. (https://youtu.be/0YUGwUgBvTU)  Further, what if I had not survived the PE? I would certainly not want my family to suffer and blame God - or to think my faith wasn’t strong enough to save myself. I really do not think that is how it works. There is sin and calamity in the world, and I have no control over it. For my comfort and sanity, I work everyday to try to strengthen my faith, so that I can be strong in the Lord for the next storm, whatever the outcome. (Luke 8:22-25) 
Next, if the devil was whispering in my ear, I’d be praying to God in the name of Jesus - not engaging in conversation with the enemy! I have no authority over the devil, but I do have protection through the authority of Jesus and the power of His name. 
Although I appreciate the intention of the original author, whoever that might be, his meme is just silliness. 

Here is a more appropriate PE graphic to celebrate today: