Storms & Other Disturbances of the Soul

Storms can be windy places, can’t they?  The wind can stir things up that only yesterday were extremely peaceful and beautifully untouched.

The ferocious and relentless blowing that accompanies a twister often threatens imminent destruction with no thought of what should be off-limits to the powerful storm.

The gale force winds terrorize everything in their pathway … relationships, hopes, dreams, stability and finances.

And then there is the rain of the tempest that drenches everything without respect to value, significance or longevity.

The perpetual precipitation of the downpour often overpowers preparation and minimizes emotional insurance.

What storm is brewing off the coast of your life today?  Do you see it coming on a bull’s eye path in your direction?

Is it the hurricane of difficult finances or of a challenging health situation?  Perhaps the disturbance that is impending your borders was stirred up by fractious relationships or by continual disappointment.

Storms can be windy places, can’t they?

What should a believer do during the dark and discouraging days of storm-tossed living?  Should you just try to just ride it out?  Or, is it advisable to prepare wisely and then simply hope for the best?

Perhaps what you have tried in the past is to scream for help and then desperately claw your way away from the storm?

Is it possible to make it through a windstorm of circumstances without encountering any life-threatening damage?

Is it possible?

I want to talk to two groups of people today – those who are not in a storm and those who are in a storm.

First of all … if you are not in a storm today …trust me on this … different seasons of life often bring massive and oppressive gusts of wind and downpours of disappointment.

If I were you, I would prepare thoroughly and wisely for any future storms that crawl up the coast of life and head in your direction.  I am not a prophet of doom nor am I a storm-chasing meteorologist, but I have lived long enough to know that the rain will fall. 

Eventually … the rain will fall and the winds will blow on all of us.

So, if you are not in a blizzard of difficult circumstances and troublesome conditions today, this is what you can do to prepare for the storms of tomorrow.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” – Matthew 7:24 & 25

Build your life on the Rock.  What does that mean, you say?!  I am so glad that you asked …

Have a daily quiet time when life is serene and constant.  Read your Bible even when the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining and the birds are singing.  Dig deeply into the truth of the sacred page even when your heart is singing with joyous contentment.

Memorize a scripture every month … or even a well-loved verse each week. Hide God’s Word in your heart when you don’t have a care in the world.

Develop the Godly and strengthening habit of cultivating a daily prayer time.  Spend time just thanking God for Who He is and for what He has accomplished in your life.  Make a list of blessings and give God abundant praise for each one.

Come to the Father boldly with your prayer requests and trust that He is listening to you and that His answers are on the way.  Don’t just pray for yourself but cultivate the joyful practice of praying for others as well!

Sing. Out. Loud.  Sing at the top your lungs!  Lift your hands in the air and worship God loudly on the happiest days of your life!  Don’t miss one day of this celebratory, enriching and deliberate practice! Out-sing the lies of the enemy and join in the gorgeous harmonies of those who sit around the throne of the Father.

Attend church … tithe your finances … give above your tithe … join a Bible Study … invite people into your home to pray … support a missionary or go on a mission’s trip … volunteer to serve at your church … encourage someone in need.

All of these vital practices will ensure that your house has been built upon the Rock of Jesus Christ.

As I watch coastal areas prepare for horrific storms, I realize that people are willing to spend money on sand bags to keep the water out, on lumber to board up their windows and on gallons of bottled water to ensure drinking safety.

What are you willing to spend in order to prepare for the next unmanageable storm that threatens the safety of your life?

And now, if you are currently in a severe tempest in life, wise advice to you is this: Dash for shelter and cry out to the only One who is able to save you!

For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat.” – Isaiah 25:4

Jesus is your shelter!  Money will not protect you … people will often mistreat you … food will betray you … and your career has no saving power.

Snuggle up into the protective arms of Jesus and allow His presence and His power to be all of the safety that you need during the worst hours of your life.

Call on His Name … declare His authority … remember His promises.

There is no storm that is too formidable for Him and there is not blast of wind that is a match for His great power.

When you are in a storm of impending destruction, don’t make things more difficult than they already are.

Run to Jesus … cry out to your Savior … declare the promises.  It is in that place that you will find all of the safety that you need. Remind yourself that you are in the boat with Him and that He is in the boat with you! You are in good hands with Jesus!

“He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?  Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea and it became perfectly calm.” – Matthew 8:26

Thanks for listening to my heart this week. As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me. And, it continues to be a hear that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!