Storms of Life: Who is Your Refuge?

Are you facing challenging times? Weathering the storms of life can be easier said than done right? Sweet friend, I would give anything to tell you that becoming a born-again follower of Jesus Christ means you will never have to encounter storms in life and everything will be smooth sailing. However, nothing is further from the truth.

Becoming a Christian doesn’t make us immune to tribulations. As a matter of fact, in God’s word we’re told NOT to be surprised by them. That being said, we must lean on and be trusting God through the storms of life.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-13

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TRUSTING GOD THROUGH THE STORMS OF LIFE

Asking God the Tough Questions

1. What are you doing God?
2. Where are you?
3. Why have you left me?
4. Why are you allowing this to happen?
5. Surely, if you love me, you wouldn’t allow me to suffer this way?
6. Since you love me, doesn’t that mean you want my life, to be easy and comfortable?

Christian’s aren’t exempt from Suffering

I don’t know about your Bible but mine does NOT promise us an easy life free of pain and suffering. God has a divine plan and purpose for the pain we endure while on earth. God also may not reveal or answer in the way we want him to either.

In many cases, we won’t know God’s reasons till we reach Eternity and it won’t matter to us then anyway. But we can trust in God’s faithfulness and sovereignty, and whatever the case may be is for our good, His glory.

We’re not alone in our suffering through the Storms

Precious Friend, Jesus is with us and we are NEVER alone. So, we must focus on the focus on God’s promises and NOT the problems and situations. When we lose sight of the promises our focus will remain on the storms of life. Keep your eyes on Jesus and His Word and sweet peace and calm will enter our hearts and spirits.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

There’s a purpose for trusting God through the storms of Life

Most likely, God is teaching us something and he wants us to draw closer to him through them. Trials do NOT feel good by any means it hurts and it’s hard.

As my Pastor stated, “Only in the Storms of life, can we fully see Jesus’ sustaining mercy? But everything in us, wants Jesus to keep us from them.

Some things we will only understand while we are going through the most difficult times and that’s when we must trust God while going through them.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Storms of life teach us what we are truly made of, and what we put our faith in. During these times, we often feel as though Jesus has left us.

When we need God the most why does it feel like he’s hundreds of miles away from us?

Let me speak truth to your heart, sweet Friend. Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God praying for us and interceding for us.

Most often during our most difficult storms, we tend to bury ourselves in something or anything, other than Jesus, to get us through them.

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Romans 8:34

Are you trusting God when the storm comes?

Who or What is your “functional savior? Do You___?

1. Tend to run to food?
2. Seek the pity of others?
3. Lash out at the ones you love most?
4. Looking for acceptance of someone?
5. Find a person to validate, how you should and shouldn’t be tested?
6. Use your children or spouse, to fill that void you feel?

The point I am getting at is, these things are not necessarily a bad thing, but they will NOT sustain you. Only Jesus Christ will and can sustain you! All these other things will not, no matter how much you want them too.

3 Reasons we can find ourselves in a Storm

1. Disobedience due to us not following the will of God.
2. It can be due to a Sin we committed, therefore we must wreak the consequence of our action.
3. It can also be from Obedience, which God allows hardship in your life, so you can help others.

As a result, whatever difficulty, challenge, or suffering, you may be going through, can be used to show the fullness of God’s Glory through you.

V4: God comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

V5: For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

V6. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 

V7: Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1: 4-7

Prepare for the storms of Life

Far too often when storms of life come we can become overwhelmed and want everyone to stop and think about us and what we may be going through. We want to be cared for and encouraged by those around us. 

But the reality is when we are going through storms of life if we would reach out to someone else who may be going through a much more difficult trial than our own our soul will be replenished.

Jesus said, “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38

Praise God through the Storm

We should be Praising our Heavenly Father when everything is going right but we should also be willing to give him our Worship, even more, when everything is falling apart.

When we raise your hands in the surrender of Praise it releases all those burdens we feel pressing down on us.

God is in control of our life and he allows storms to come our way, in order to strengthen us spiritually and make us more like Jesus.

God uses hardships to chip off our rebelliousness and pride to mold us into Christ’s character. This is God’s way to refine us as individuals and bind us together as his children.

5 Ways to respond to the storms of Life

And so when NOT IF we encounter suffering how should we respond? We Should ____?

1. Accept that it’s God’s plan for us.
2. Take heart that he is using it for our good making us more like His Son.
3. NOT become bitter about it, but know he’s using it to change us.
4. Be open and honest and be willing to let it be used to bring Glory to God.
5. And if at all possible may we rejoice in our sufferings.

Rejoice through the Storm

If you have watched My Health Journey video, you are aware of my medical standing and I have more to add since recording it.

It seems, every time I turn around they’re discovering another “issue” wrong with me. I could choose to let it get me down but I try my best NOT to let it define me or who I am.

I’m going, to be honest, I have asked God more than once to Please put the brakes on! But I have finally come to a point that God knows what he’s doing. He’s God and I am not. I can’t see the “Big Picture” but God can.

Facing the Storms of Life Quotes

Facing the storms of life: Remember how far you’ve come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be.”

–Rick Warren

Weathering the storms of life: “When trouble comes, focus on God’s ability to care for you.”

–Charles Stanley

Facing the storms of life: “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”

–Bob Marley

Weathering the storms of life: “Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strength.”

–Corrie Ten Boom

Facing the storms of life: “I’m thankful for my struggle because without it I wouldn’t have stumbled across my strength.”

–Alex Elle

Weathering the storms of life: “You are being tested. And you know what they say my darling, being tested only makes you stronger.”

–Downton Abbey

Facing the storms of life: “What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.”

–Charles Bukowski

Weathering the storms of life: “One small crack does not mean you are broken, it means that you were put to the test and you didn’t fall apart.”

–Linda Poindexter

Facing the storms of life: “New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.”

–Lao Tzu

Weathering the storms of life: “Storms make trees take deeper roots.”

–Dolly Parton

Facing the storms of life: “Be an encourager. The world has plenty of critics already.”

–Dave Willis

SUMMARY ON FACING THE STORMS OF LIFE WITH JESUS

You or I may not be aware of who we may be in contact with while we’re weathering the storms of life. However, our “storm just might be inspiring them to get through theirs.

However, if you’re in a Doubt vs Faith season read my post on choosing To trust God in the midst of your circumstances. I Pray it Encourages You!

Sweet friend, the bible is full of scriptures on hope when you’re in seasons of doubt. You can read what does the bible say about hope for quick access. Remember, God’s got this and it’s going to be ok! I long to hear one day soon…well done my good and faithful servant! Don’t You?