Stability in the Storm
Hurricane, tsunami, tornado, typhoon, all these are severe versions of smaller weather patterns such as a low-pressure system or a tropical depression. No one panics over a low-pressure system moving into the area and bringing cooler temperatures or a rain system bringing much needed water for our yard.
We need those weather patterns to happen but when they escalate out of control is when they become a problem. They can cause catastrophic damage. Rain is good floods are not. Wind actually strengthens tree bark but too much wind can destroy the tree. Trials are not all bad, they make us dig deep in God’s Word for answers, they teach us patience, allow us to practice the Fruits of the Spirit and see God’s grace and mercy at work.
I’ve noticed as Christians we often complain, question God’s love for us or rebuke the devil when any sort of storm hits our lives. It’s like we have this mentality that when we get saved our lives should be easy and our bank account should always be full. In reality, much of scripture teaches us HOW to go through storms, HOW to handle mistreatment, HOW to love people who hate us, HOW to be content, and on and on. I haven’t found any scriptures that tell me I won’t have hard things to go through, but I’m still looking!!
We like to quote the scriptures about blessing and prosperity but there is one promise that Jesus himself gave us in John 16:33 AMP that I never hear anyone claim. 33” I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you will have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration ( yea that’s a promise too) but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”
Trials and hardships are designed by our enemy to kill, steal and destroy us. God wants to turn it around and use it to teach, train and heal us. It’s not what we go through but how we handle it that makes all the difference. I know one woman who lost a baby and let that loss make her angry and bitter. Another friend lost a baby and turned it into a Ministry to help other moms with their loss. How you come through is totally up to you.
We need to remember to look at Him and not the storm. I can tend to get car sick, or sea sick so I have to remember to always keep my eyes fixed on a stationary object or the horizon, something that is immovable. Then I don’t get sick. But as soon as I take my eyes off of that object my head starts spinning and it’s over! In the storm raging against us we must focus on Him and His word and believe only that, not what our circumstances are screaming at us. A storm can escalate out of control when we let it take over our minds and dwell on everything negative. We have a choice what we think about. While the wind is howling, the trees are bending over and the water is rising we have to make the choice on what we focus on!
Jesus said He had deprived the tribulation power to harm us. The only power our storm has to defeat us is the power we give it. We give it power by worrying; talking about it, reacting negatively or believing it can destroy us. Circumstances are facts they are not truth. God’s word is truth. We must know it and trust it more than anything we are seeing.
No matter what you are going through right now, keep your eyes fixed on the unmovable Savior who has already conquered this and has everything you need to “go through.’ His love is greater than your pain, stronger than your enemy and more than enough.
1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, James 1:12, Hebrews 10:35-36, Psalms 112:6-7, Isaiah 26:3, John 10:10