The Inevitable Storms of Life

The Inevitable Storms of Life

"But now, this is what the Lord , your Creator says, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you [from captivity]; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you." (Isaiah 43:1-2, AMP) 

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]." (John 16:33, AMP)

There are uncertainties and challenges in life. Experiencing reduced functionality with age, unforeseen challenges, the vagaries of the weather, the irresponsibility, self-centredness and inconsiderate behaviour of certain individuals, among other things is inevitable. Life can be tough at times. That is just the way it is. Storms come and go; some linger longer than others but irrespective of how long they hang around, one thing is sure, God is with us in the storms. In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus was crossing the Sea of Galilee with his disciples in a boat. During the journey, a windstorm arose causing water to fill the boat, but Jesus was asleep. The disciples panicked, woke up Jesus and asked Him whether He did not care that they were perishing. Their outburst smelled of fear of death. Jesus calmly "rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace , be still'" (v. 39). Jesus was in control then and is still in control today.

God spoke through Isaiah the prophet saying that through waters, rivers and fires, He would be with the children of Israel. God has not changed and has said He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). God does not necessarily remove us from storms or challenges but He stays with us through the trouble. He delivers us from the storms while we are in them. That is powerful!

What storm are you experiencing or going through today? It is true that some troubles are self-inflicted but for the one who walks with the Lord every minute of the day, God has everything in control. It is fair to say that Jesus knew that a storm was coming when He entered the boat but He was not perturbed. He went to sleep on a pillow. After He awoke from sleep and commanded the wind to be still, Jesus said, "... “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40, NKJV)

So, what was Jesus really saying? That they should have realized that God the Son and the Son of God was with them in the boat and there was no way the boat was going to capsize with Him in it. Jesus was not asking them to have faith in themselves but in Him, the Creator of the universe. Where is your faith? Do you really trust Jesus to take care of you? Are you drawing closer to Jesus? You see the issue is not the storm but faith in the One who has power over the storms and is with you 24/7. No wonder God told Israel through Isaiah the prophet that when they go through the waters and the rivers, they will not be overwhelmed for He would be with them. Do you believe that God is with you? 

Remember that Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) implying that you have the peace of God with you wherever you go. Do not fear, do not be afraid for God has your back. God did not use the conjunction 'if', rather He used the conjunction 'when'. It is true that we do not know when storms will come but we can prepare for them. Jesus told the parable of the two men who built houses, one on the rock and the other on the sand in Matthew 7:24-27. The one who was wise built on the rock while the one who was foolish built on the sand. If the storms did not come, the two houses would have been standing. The test is in the storm not outside it. The wise man anticipated the rain, the floods and the wind but the foolish man refused to consider that possibility. Wishful thinking is a poor foundation for life whereas biblical thinking is what forges forward and anticipates danger ahead. The biblical thinker thinks in the manner God would, he or she sees the invisible, comprehends complexities and finds solutions for the seemingly incomprehensible or unfathomable. That is because the biblical thinker meditates on the Word of God after reading and studying it. The one who is rooted in God's Word is not shaken by the storms of life but is strong in the midst of the storm because Jesus is with him or her. Hallelujah!

The one who stands upon the Word of God always ends up with a powerful testimony whether in life or in death. Such an individual is not afraid of the storm because he or she can say without a shadow of doubt:

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39, NKJV). Oh, glory to God! Such a person can say with conviction:

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

My dear brethren, whether you are going through a storm right now or are about to experience one, take heart for there is nothing to fear. God is for you and with you. Remember He has seen the end for He knows the end from the beginning. He will provide a way through like when the children of Israel went through the Red Sea. You are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, Jesus and He will keep you, guide you, protect you and provide for you. 

 So rejoice, be glad for the storm will eventually go away. "Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]." (Proverbs 3:5-6 , AMP)

Have a blessed day.