by Cynthia Cody-Vera
I have never been in a tornado, but I was on Saturday.
Yes, it was small, but came with warnings: hail, strong winds, flooding, lightning, and thunder! Alerts of atmospheric rivers headed our way while chunks of hospital ice fell from the dark skies. The constant roll of what seemed like never-ending rumbling was unsettling.
The cats in the house hid, eerily sensing what was to come. My son-in-law scanned the skies for funnel clouds, and loved every minute of it, pretending to be a meteorologist for our safety. My daughter was laughing and screaming at every bolt of light to strike the ground. I was ready to be swept to OZ.
Selfishly, I didn’t want to lose power.
When severe weather, like a tornado, comes into our lives, it causes fear and other worries. Anything beyond our control can be debilitating. It can cause us to freeze in our fear. However, that day, I had a particular sense of peace. I felt safe in His presence.
I became very still, and I was aware that He was all around me. I felt clear-minded and like eternity was right in my view. Everything that was whirling around in my mind grew still.
Praise.
The next step is to enter a time where we seriously contemplate His heart, His mind, His humor, and His comfort. We also then become very thankful and begin to praise Him for what He has done for us.
Petition.
This is the part where people bring their requests to Him in all shapes and sizes. Physical, emotional, and mental problems. Things that are hard to understand.
This is what I am teaching the prayer warriors and they are praying for you.
Blessings, Love in Christ,
Cynthia Cody-Vera
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! The Lord is near.
Cynthia is the pastor of our Prayer Ministry
John Fischer The Catch 
Thanks for this message. I cannot imagine being in a situation like that and but, always have faith and remember Jesus is right by us all the time. Great also when family is close by. Take care, God Bless, and have a great day.
On February 8, a tornado destroyed my life when my husband suddenly and unexpectedly died. 53 years were ripped up and tossed to the four winds. I am stunned and I walk through the memories trying to visualize the rest of my life without the one I shared them with. Yes, I know he’s with Jesus. Yes, I know we will be together again. Yes, I know that I will not only survive, but thrive. Yes, I know I am blessed with great kids and grandkids, and wonderful neighbors and friends. But right now I stare at the hole in my life and despair that I will live the rest of my life with it. Psalm40:1-3 was a verse I gave to my Bobby when he was first hospitalized, never knowing that it was me who would need it.
Psalm 40: 1-3 (The Living Bible):
I waited patiently for God to help me; then He listened and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path, and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our God. Now many will hear of the glorious things He did for me, and stand in awe before the Lord, and put their trust in Him.
Psalm 40: 1-3 (The Complete Jewish Bible):
I waited patiently for Adonai, till He turned toward me and heard my cry.
He brought me up from the roaring pit, up from the muddy ooze, and set my feet on a rock, making my footing firm.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will look on in awe and put their trust in Adonai.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss of Bobby, Sandie.
Dealing with death is always difficult but it must be all-the-more devastating and confusing (even incomprehensible) when it occurs under such tragic circumstances.
Cling to those words from Psalm 40, Sandie, and keep them close to your heart while Jesus continues to hug you in your grief and sorrow.
Though the hole in your life can never be filled, I pray that the despair you feel will be understood and tended to by the love of family, friends, and the Holy Spirit.
Until that wonderful day when you’re reunited with Bobby, may you be blessed, filled and comforted with Shalom, Peace…
Be well my friend.
Bob
Thank you Bob. The affirmation means a lot. I’ve been reading Philip Yancey’s book Disappointment With God. There was a sentence that jumped out at me. “And if I ever wonder about the appropriate ‘spiritual’ response to pain and suffering. I can note how Jesus responded to his own; with fear and trembling, with loud cries and tears.”