God’s gift . . .

Strength Through the Storm 

Storm—a serious disturbance of any element of nature, often with wind, rain, snow, hail, sleet, or thunder and lightning . . . but it can also be storms of emotions . . . sudden, intense, overwhelming floods of internal feelings that create deep inner chaos and can make sensible, reasonable thought difficult . . . these storms are often triggered by trauma, loss, or stress,  . . . and they mimic physical storms, growing in intensity and causing temporary, but overwhelming disruptions to behaviors and relationships. 

No matter whether our storms are caused by nature or people, we have either been in one, are currently going through one, or are going to be in one soon . . . We’re human, and we live in a world that sometimes leaves us battered, bruised, wounded, and scared  . . .  Regardless of how the storm started, the waves come crashing in. 

Yet this is when we hold on to basic understandings . . . when the bottom drops out of our lives, it forces us to take inventory of what our core beliefs are, helps us focus on what really matters, and all of the small stuff becomes insignificant and irrelevant . . . In order to face the storm head on, we need to shift our perception, assessment, and outlook and focus on God . . . I suggest looking at it this way—with every trial, we are building spiritual muscles that will defeat darkness, tear down strongholds, and make the enemy wish he hadn’t messed with us in the first place . . . hold onto your knowledge that God is in control.  

As we deal with life's storms, we have a choice . . . Should I ride out the storm or let it drown me?  . . . We can choose to navigate through our challenges or let them overpower us and drag us down . . . A storm symbolizes any situation that brings trouble, hardships, obstacles, and suffering into our life . . . With faith in God and refusing to let any storm make us panic, we can prevail and continue to move forward even when surrounded by the worst of conditions.

When we only focus on the problems in our life, that becomes all we can see . . . you won’t be able to see the escape route if you’re trapped into believing there is no way out . . . If you give the “problem” power, then it will rule your life . . . Problems will come, but how we handle them when they come is what matters.  

“Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.’”
Matthew 11:28 

"Come to me" is what God is telling each of us to do . . . Come out of your situation . . . come out of your hurt . . . come out of your depression . . . come out of your low perception of yourself . . . come out of allowing the tough times in your life to stop you from moving forward . . . come out of comparing your life to others . . . come out of focusing on what you do not have and start seeing what you do have . . . the list goes on and on. 

What is needed is to focus on God’s Word and have faith . . . your problems don’t have to be gone to know that God is with you . . . Right in the middle of the storm, He is there . . . And He has always been there, because He promises to never leave you or abandon you.  

There is only one secure foundation:
a genuine, deep relationship with Jesus Christ,
which will carry you through any and all turmoil.
No matter what storms are raging all around,
you'll stand firm if you stand on His love.
(Charles Stanley) 

If God promises that you will endure the storm, you will indeed endure . . . and through enduring, you will overcome it . . . focus on what God’s Word says, and when the storms in our lives come, we can experience peace right in the middle of them.  

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.
When you pass through the rivers, they will not flow over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.
The fire will not destroy you.”
Isaiah 43:2 
 

INSIGHT . . . 

Sometimes God calms the storm, and sometimes He calms His child.
(John H. Groberg ) 

Some 365 times in the Bible—once for every day in the year—God has told us in one way or another, “Be not afraid” or “Fear not.” . . . bringing us hope and strength. 

Storms make trees take deeper roots.
(Dolly Parton) 

Our difficulties allow us to see God’s strength displayed in our lives . . .  Through every weakness and hard place, we find a deeper humility and dependence on Him . . . a reliance that we would never know without the trial or pain we face. 

Then, through our own difficulty and suffering, we can help someone else who faces similar struggles . . . It’s only through our own pain and grief, or hardship, that we can have a fuller understanding of what others walk through as well . . . God will use what we have experienced, no matter how difficult, to help someone else. 

When trouble comes, focus on God’s ability to care for you.
(Charles Stanley) 

Just like a thunderstorm, life’s challenges can come upon us suddenly and with great intensity . . . In those moments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious, wondering how long the storm will last and if we will make it through . . . Center your heart and soul on the things you can control rather than worrying about the raging storm outside . . . We choose to focus on our faith, our families, our responsibilities, and the tasks at hand . . . and we place our trust in God’s capable hands, knowing that He is in control of everything beyond our reach. 

This doesn’t mean the storm will immediately pass, but it does mean that we can have peace in the midst of it . . . When we trust in God and focus on His promises, we discover that His strength sustains us, His peace surrounds us, and His love carries us through to the other side. 

INVITATION—TO TALK WITH GOD . . . 

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous be shaken."
Psalm 55:22 

Close your eyes, take a deep breath and think about these questions . . .  

       Are you caught in the middle of a storm right now?

              Is there something you need to “give” to God to calm the stormy seas of your life? 

Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles,
it empties today of its strength.
(Corrie Ten Boom) 

Maybe your situation looks dark and threatening right now, and you don’t know how you will make it through . . . True survival is only found in the presence of God . . . God is in control—He always has been and He always will be . . . It’s okay to take your hands off the situation and allow Him to work it out . . . We can be sure that God will part the skies, the sun will shine again, and He will bring glory to His Holy name . . . settle down, get quiet in the presence of the Lord, and trust Him to keep you safe until the storm passes by. 

Talk with God . . . Learn to embrace God’s peace in the middle of chaos . . . ask Him to help you. 

Christ didn't promise us a life without storms, but He did promise to be with us through them all . . . As we desperately pray for a breakthrough, grace, forgiveness, or mercy, God is working to get our prayer answered in His timing . . . Jesus might not miraculously bail us out from our issues and problems, but He will walk with us through them. 

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 

Where have you typically gone to for help in the past when struggles come?

                        What has prevented you from going to God in the midst of your struggle?  

If it’s big enough to worry about,
it’s big enough to pray about.
(Craig Groeschel) 

If you are struggling right now, take a moment and cry out to God with honesty . . .  

Call on Him to help you face your difficulties, because while it might be a big struggle for you, it is a small thing for him. 

If not for yourself—do you know someone who needs you to cry out to God for them? . . .               
                    You may be the only one who knows or feels their struggles . . . ask God’s help. 

"Do not be anxious about anything,  but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
Philippians 4:6

ILLUMINATION . . .

As I read these Scriptures, I thought about an out-of-control slide down the hill in our backyard during our recent snow and
ice . . . landing on my rear was embarrassing, but trying to get back on my feet was a disaster . . . it would have been so amazing to have God actually hold my hand and help me up. 

Pause for a moment and think . . . When was the last time you really could have used God’s helping hand to pull you up? 

Lifting our eyes toward God is a biblical image of prayer . . . Even Jesus Himself “lifted up his eyes to heaven” when He prayed to His Father (John 17:1). 

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 

The song “Praise You in This Storm” (Casting Crowns) was released in 2005 . . . I remember it well, for all the hardest reasons . . . We had a dear friend, Darrel, whose wife was losing her battle with life . . . each day, when he would go to the hospital to spend time with her, this song would play on the radio . . . Darrel said the song spoke to everything he was struggling through as he watched his wife slowly fade away . . . hearing the words each day helped him face the next day, and the next, and the next . . . We all wept when he lost his sweet Sherri . . . and we all had huge tears running down our faces when he told us how the song had gotten him through—how God had walked with him through everything—and then he sang the song for us all . . . with passion  and pain for Sherri, and with deep love for the God who kept him going. 

Praise You in This Storm
I was sure by now God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away . . . Stepped in and saved the day
But once again I'll say amen, and it's still rainin' 

As the thunder rolls, I barely hear You whisper through the rain, “I'm with You”
And as Your mercy falls, I'll raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away 

And I'll praise You in this storm . . . And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are . . . No matter where I am
And ev'ry tear I've cried . . . You hold in Your hand
You never left my side . . . And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm 

I lift my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth

The song is about God’s faithfulness to each of us, and how He helps even when—especially when—the worst storms are raging in our lives . . . it begins with expressing torment and agony over an unresolved situation despite many prayers . . . then the lyrics turn into a song of worship and faith in the Lord  . . . the bridge of the song, quoting Psalm 121, is full of confidence that the Lord is capable and will help through this storm.  

When we say, “I lift my eyes to the hills,” we impart a trust in God that can sustain us through every danger, hardship, and challenge along life’s journey until we are safely home with God’s in eternity . . . God loves us and He understands what we face . . . and this is the One who created everything—Why would we ever doubt His ability to meet each of us in our difficulties, to give us what we need?  

God is always there for us . . . when the world turns dark and the journey turns rocky, He is gives us the confidence we need to face the struggles and stressors of life. 

God’s timing is not ours; His ways are not ours . . . We can’t understand all that God is doing in the world or why He works the way He does . . . But we can choose to trust that God is faithful . . . even in doubt, confusion, wrestling, pain, grief, and weariness, we can choose to lift up our eyes and look to God for help.  

INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . . 

“God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song.”
Isaiah 12:2 

I encourage you to take time to listen to any or all the songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too. 

♪♬♪ Current . . .  Praise You in This Storm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YUGwUgBvTU&list=RD0YUGwUgBvTU&start_radio=1 

♪♬♪ Traditional . . . Standing on the Promises

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itqKrYX0Dzw&list=RDitqKrYX0Dzw&start_radio=1 

INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . .  

No one wishes for hard times in life . . . No one asks for suffering or storms . . . Yet if we’ve lived long enough, we know it is going to happen at some point . . . It’s all a part of life. 

 Be an encourager. The world has plenty of critics already.
(Dave Willis) 

Each of our storms might look different, but they all offer the opportunity to change us, and  to help us grow in our relationship with God . . . God may not cause the storms, but He uses them . . . He can take what seems tragic and devastating and turn it around  . . . It may not happen as quickly as we'd like, it may feel like a struggle, and we might find ourselves longing for another way . . . but blessings will come. 

"Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.
Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers,
letting God know your concerns."
Philippians 4:6 

And remember Paul’s words in Philippians, that remind us that a thankful heart invites God’s peace, which can calm even the most restless mind or the fiercest storms. 

Heavenly Father,
We come before You with open hearts, grateful for Your unwavering love and support.
Lord, You are our refuge and our fortress, a constant presence in times of trouble.
When life’s storms rage around us, remind us that You are our shelter and our shield.
Fill our hearts with Your peace and let it overflow into every area of our lives.
Help us to see beyond our trials to the joy and peace that come from believing in You.
Teach us to wait on You, to trust in Your timing, and to draw our strength from You continually.
Thank You, Lord, for being our constant source of strength and hope.
We pray all this in the mighty name of Jesus. —Amen.

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