A few years ago I went through a very hard time in my life.  My faith was really put to the test.  I still deal with consequences from a sin that I didn't even commit.  My husband did.  And his extremely bad, not even poor, choices lead him down a road that have unspeakably hurt many lives.  This road also lead him to prison.  He was accused of crimes that he committed and now he is paying for those consequences. 

God has blessed me even in this time of tribulation in my life.  I grew in my relationship with God more than I ever thought imaginable.  He was and is with me every step of the way. I cannot count the times that I have cried out to Him about my hurt, my disappointments, my needs.   

A few months after his arrest I was in the car listening to a tape.  I hadn't really paid much attention to a few of the songs but all of a sudden the words grabbed my attention.  The words to this song finally sunk in and ministered to my hurting heart, soul, mind, emotions.  That was the only song I listened to for weeks after that. Deuteronomy 33:27 brought this song to mind

 All my dreams were shattered

And all that mattered was gone on the winds of sorrow.

Every thing I had planned swept out of my hand

And I saw no hope for tomorrow.

With my heart near to breaking

I cried LORD I can't make it

By myself, I just can't carry on.

With the storm at its darkest

Came the words, "I'll never leave you

You are loved; let  my strength be your own"

When my feet are stumbling and my hopes are crumbling

The Lord is there abiding.

There is peace, there is calm

In the midst of my storm

The Lord is there abiding.

He grace, He is power,

He's my strength for each hour

He is comfort and safety from all harm.

There is joy in my soul

For the Lord has control

And beneath are the everlasting arms.

Chorus:

It takes a storm now and then,

To remind me to depend

To depend upon the Lord

And to rest in His Word.

For in the wind and the rain

I learned to call on His name.

And I thank Him in my song:

He sent the storm to make me strong.

A Storm Now and Then by Mosie Lister.

I thank God that He does have everlasting arms. I thank Him and praise Him for being my refuge.  He brought me through that storm, He is there for the little squalls that still pop up, He will be there for any future storms. There really is joy in my soul.  The only reason that I have that joy is Him.  I'm glad that I have everlasting arms to hold me up.