I came across this old blog I wrote several years ago. I needed it again, maybe someone else does too.
As I read the lyrics to Lifehouse's song "Storm", it caused my heart to begin to reflect and be encouraged, this is what God showed me...
We all face storms in life. It’s unfortunately one of the harsh realities of our time on this earth. Jesus even warned us,”in this world you will face trouble…” If you are like me, after I’m through the storm I look back and confidently exclaim how I knew God would get me through it, which is true! It’s the times when I am in some rough waters spiritually and the wind and waves are crashing against me that I need to practice what I preach. I need to remember the storms I have already come through and the beautiful rainbows that followed.
Looking back on how difficult a storm WAS is easier than being IN the storm and looking forward to the rainbow. I don’t quite understand that, since God has promised us that HE will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) The reality is when we get tangled up and off track, we lose focus and get down, but we need to Stand up, brush ourself off and say. I will overcome. As Rascal Flatts so brilliantly explains:
. 'Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend 'til you break'
Cause it's all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad, you get strong
Wipe you hands, shake it off
Then you stand,
I know the rainbow awaits, when it will appear I don’t know but I WILL wait BECAUSE I AM a child of God and as HE promised Moses, HE promises us, “I {God} will go with you, I will see the journey to the end.” Exodus 33:14
During the storm I believe its ok for us to be upset at God, to beat on HIS chest with the questions of why me, why another storm? But, I caution to do this in a way that will turn us TOWARD HIM not away from HIM. God actually tells us we have the right to do that in 1 Peter 5:7 “cast ALL your cares on HIM because HE cares for you.” If He didn’t care for you He wouldn’t want you to tell Him your concerns, worries, hurts or fears. HE ALREADY KNOWS THEM ANYWAY!!! He just wants us to express those to Him. To build that "Daddy-Child"relationship. It feels so good to get things off your chest, whether that’s telling God or sharing with a friend you can confide in. Our friends are great, they will listen and if they are truly walking with the Lord, very often God speaks wisdom to us through them. A man once told me, regarding storms of life, “Short term pain leads to a long term gain” That is a great paraphrase of 1 Peter 4:12 “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you but REJOICE that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be OVERJOYED when HIS GLORY is revealed”
