Storms are a certainty. Howling winds, crashing waves ... sheets of rain and lightning bolts across the sky. Storms can be messy and bad things often happen ... just like life. However, every storm, every crisis is an opportunity to trust God.
God calls us to see the storms of life as He sees them - opportunities to see the hands and power of God ... at work.
Hurtful words, broken hearts, broken lives. Marriages adrift, friendships ruined. Shattered promises. Addictions, epic failure!
David had storms too, he cried, " Create in me a clean heart, O God ... and renew a loyal spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 (NLT)
Are you kidding me ... a loyal spirit? Really? Even during the storm?
To be loyal literally means to be faithful. Are we, even during the most severe storm?
In 2 Corinthians 6:6 (NLT) Paul says, "...We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience..."
Purity first ...and Paul was no stranger to the storms. The message from Paul is that integrity and power for daily life... "life during the storm" ... is the result of a heart committed to purity, or as David says ... a clean heart.
Then comes understanding. Sometimes our greatest lessons are learned in the "heart" of the storm. Every circumstance - every situation that we face will "eventually" bring understanding, a fresh view point, or the ability to "see" what God sees. We have the ability to face every storm with the confidence that God is there!
Patience .. did you just step outside of your mind? O.k. ...I confess, I am not the best example of patience. Maybe that explains some of the storms in my life. Take a look at what the scriptures say in James 1:2 (NIV), "Consider it pure joy...when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
Patience gives God permission to work!
Maybe, just maybe ... it is not about joy during the storm - maybe, just maybe ... it's about joy in spite of the storm.
Warren Wiersbe says, "When God permits his children to go through the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat."
More heat anyone? Just sayin'....
-Kelly
