Life in the Storm

(This was originally written in 2017)

As we have seen the effects and the damages of Hurricane Harvey and the now the impending storms (Hurricane Irma and Jose) that has devastated the Caribbean’s and is making its way for the United States, I am motivated by the Holy Spirit to write this article. No one likes to be in a storm. It can be wraithlike intense thundering that can wake you out of your night’s sleep. Lightening can flash across the sky that gives the feeling of a need to be under some sort of protection. The winds can blow with force and the moisture in the air (along with temperatures) can produce threats of tornadoes. Flash Flooding can occur with 200 mph winds rushing the water ashore from the ocean. Some have been trapped by the rushing water in which people have died. Others have lost their homes because of the violent floods and high winds. We love those sunny days that drives us to go outside and experience God’s wondrous creation, but how can we truly enjoy those days if we don’t experience the storms? The storms of life can be arduous and even worse than the storms that we experience from nature. I say this because we are usually heartbroken, angry, upset, perplexed, confused because of life’s storms. We lose sleep at night with our pillows stained with tears. We dread facing the day because of the tremendous amount of weight that the storms have upon us. We worry, and we shut ourselves down from families and friends. We look for things to temporarily satisfy or pacify our hurt like drugs and alcohol. If we continue the way we are going, we can find ourselves in deep depression. These are all just effects from what the storms of life can bring. I can only talk this way and explain these things because I have experienced them myself. It wasn’t until I learned to praise God during my storm that caused me to be stronger and at peace! Even though I was still in the storm, I learned to praise God! This sounds like madness to those that don’t understand God or don’t believe in God, but it works. I know we have all heard the old saying ‘don’t tell God how big your problems (storms) are; tell your problems (storms) how big God is!’ This is true! Yeah, it’s easier said than done, but you must experience God for yourself! Everyone goes through different storms of life and everybody’s situation is different, I understand this! Harvey was a huge storm, and it looks as if Irma and Jose could be even larger; but our God is greater than any storm that could pass our way (notice I said ‘pass’)! These are several different storms that are having different effects on people. Now, I am not saying stand in the middle of the storm outside and raise your fist at it! Get to safety and make sure your family is safe; and during the storm, give praise to the Most-High God Who is still in control! There is something that we can learn from the storms of life and I will almost guarantee you that God is speaking to us while in the storms. We must listen to His voice! We may not understand why we are going through storms, but if we ask for His will to be done, I believe that He will give us strength to endure whatever it is that we are dealing with. Remember, Jesus had to go through Calvary, but there was victory on the other side of Calvary! So, for only a moment; just endure the storm. Praise Him now! Ask for His will and I know that He will give you strength to endure! As the storm passes, the sun will shine again! Even as the storm strikes, the SON is always shining bright! So, stay strong! Put away idols and worship God in Spirit and in Truth! Don’t play with the Creator!