By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Monday's fire in Pringle Bay and Hurricane Ike. In both cases, these events caused great damage. In Pringle Bay, the fire burned a family's home to the ground. What made it especially sad is that the family built the house over a period of seven years. While they lost everything in the fire, the houses around them were unharmed.

In 2008, Hurricane Ike moved within 13 days through Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the United States, causing damage of about $ 10 billion. A photograph published after the hurricane of the coastline in Gilchrist, Texas caught my attention. Although all the houses next to the coast seemed to be flattened, only one house remained standing. It is almost as if the wind and water had been ordered to move around the house, but not touch it.

In our lives, at times we feel like the home in Pringle Bay. While we are suffering one disappointment after the other with overwhelming heart ache, the people around us seem to only experience happiness and prosperity. Yet, there are also times in which we experience supernatural protection, knowing that a Greater Hand protected us. We might even look back at seasons in our lives and stand astounded at the knowledge that He ordered the winds and water to move around us without touching us.

 The truth is that I AM is much closer to us and more involved in our lives than we sometimes realize. Amid storms, pain and disappointments, He remains Sovereign. In Psalm 23: 4 we read: "Even though I walk through dark valley, I will not be afraid, for you are with me. In your hands I am safe." In Isaiah 43: 1-3 He said: "Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. If you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. . . for I am the Lord thy God. . . "And in 2 Thessalonians 3: 3 we read: "The Lord is faithful, who will establish you and keep you from evil."

I AM protects us in every season of our lives. Is it He that causes the storms to hit our lives? Of course not. He knows what we can endure and will never allow anything to overcome us. He carries us, saves us and protects us. And if it feels as if our "house" is burnt to the ground, He can rebuild it. Let's keep our eyes on Him. He remains Sovereign. Be blessed.

Father God, thank You for Your protection in every situation I may find myself in. Help me to rest in You, even if I do not understand the reasons. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• See photos of the house in Pringle Bay as well the one that survived Hurricane Ike at www.benescke.co.za.

• ASSIGNMENT: Let’s deliberately thank God for being in control of our lives - even if it feels as if everything is falling apart.

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