A guest post by Karen Castleberry . . .
Bible Verse
“… [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity] …” – Hebrews 12:2a AMP
Reflection
I was praying on the phone with Tara, my niece. We were focusing on Jesus and abiding in Him. A very loud thunderstorm blew into Gainesville, Georgia, where Tara was. She was in awe of the majestic power of God in the storm and was enjoying being in the middle of it. She had her eyes on Jesus.
Several hours later, a very loud thunderstorm blew in at the hunting cabin in Sparta, Georgia, where I was. In the past, limbs have gone through the roof. An ancient oak 24 feet around still has huge limbs. We can see straight through the trunk at the bottom.
I was very concerned—not panicking but not enjoying the experience. The temperature drop from 95 to 70 degrees was some consolation. But I had my eyes on what ifs.
I remembered how different the storm seemed earlier, when Tara and I were abiding in prayer. It didn’t seem overwhelming.
When you are abiding in Jesus and looking to Him, you feel safe, and you look at the storms in life differently.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, when storms of life hit, help me to look at You. Amen
Thought for the Day
Keep your eyes on Jesus instead of the distractions in life.
Copyright © 2025 by Karen Castleberry
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Karen Castleberry is a Missionary of Prayer. She lives with her husband, Gary, and 2 dogs, in a little cottage nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia. Their son, Jeremiah, lives and works nearby. Karen loves reading, writing, photography, knitting, and all things creative. Her greatest joy in life is spending time with Jesus, her family and friends.
