A Double Whammy from Hell
Thursday, October 30, 2025
“The wisdom and power of God are discovered by the trials through which His children are permitted to pass.” – C.H. Spurgeon
“Today was like a double whammy from hell,” I told my daughter-in-law as we enjoyed some delicious Hershey’s ice cream on Sunday evening. “Actually,” I added, “it was like a double whammy from whatever level is below hell.”
I had texted my son and his wife earlier that afternoon to say that Deanna and I needed to get out of the house and do something fun. Basically, we needed to get our minds off the day’s events – which included a dispute at church and an ongoing disagreement with my siblings about my mother’s care – and a double dip of black raspberry and deep-dish apple pie ice cream was the perfect remedy.
It did Deanna and me a world of good to voice our concerns, listen to some sound advice, and share some laughs. By the time we left the ice cream parlor, I think we were both feeling a little better… and ready to face the next set of challenges.
As heart-wrenching as both of those personal trials were, they paled in comparison to the storm that was brewing in the Caribbean. While we relaxed and indulged in our favorite ice cream flavors, the poor residents of Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba were preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, a CAT 5 super storm brandishing 185 mph winds and delivering up to 40 inches of torrential rain.
I am writing this devotional message on Tuesday afternoon, and Melissa just made landfall a few hours ago. Catastrophic landslides, flash flooding, and a record storm surge are expected throughout Jamaica and the other island nations that dot the Caribbean. I can only imagine what the final death toll will be… and how long it will take to recover bodies and restore power.
And yet, amidst such devastation and loss, God is still present… He is still in control… and He will still be glorified. It may be hard to decipher His face or sense His presence when we are in the eye of the storm, but rest assured that He is there.
Forever loving and forever sovereign.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
