Surviving A Storm...

As I have talked about in my past writings, all of us have either been through a storm, are in the middle of storm or have a storm coming at some point in the future. The main reason for this is because once you turn your life over the Jesus you become a target on the radar of the enemy. When we were all walking in sin we were not much of a threat to satan, but the moment our eyes were opened to God's truth and we accepted Christ and began to walk out of our old life of sin we became an instrument for God to use to reach the lives of others. This is something satan takes very serious and wants to "try" to put a stop to. Just look at the book of Job to see how badly the enemy wants to get you to curse God and walk away from Him. He will go to whatever extremes he can and that is why it is so important that we recognize his tactics and know what to do in a crisis, a battle or a storm.
There are a few things in life that I will never forget because of their impact on me, and some that I never want to forget because of the lessons they taught me. And the storm that I found my life in throughout 2014 is one of those things. I know some people say "I just want this to be over so I can move on and forget about all this", but I often look back on that storm just so I can remind myself of how much God was truly there for me each and every step of the way. That year represents an unwanted divorce and the enemy slowly ripping apart a family and relationships. Yes there were dark days where it seemed like the enemy was winning the battle, but that is because those were the times that I was too focused on the day and not trusting God with the entire situation. I had days of very strong faith and I had days where my faith was shook. Just being real with you..... But the victory was not in the end results of that storm, the victory was in how God brought me through it and changed me and my life. And that is why I don't ever want to forget it. He was my strength, my shield, my deliverer, my comforter, my provider, my protector and my best friend. He was with me every second of the battle and He didn't just hold my hand, but He actually carried me at times. I know that there was no way I would have made it through that time without Him and all that He did for me. And I can honestly say that He DID make good out of something that the enemy meant to destroy me with. (see Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-3 and Acts 20:24)
The reason I wrote about this today is because I physically drove through the worst storm I have ever had to drive through yesterday. And at one point on the highway my visibility was almost at a zero. The car right in front of me had their flashers on and I literally could not see it. And this entire scenario reminded me of what 2014 felt like for my life. I was in a storm where no matter what direction I looked, I couldn't see my way out of it. My only choice was to trust God...and not a little, but fully. But I thank Him that I didn't have the answers, and that I couldn't see or find my own way out. If I could, I probably would have tried in my own strength and either made the storm last a lot longer than it needed to, be much more worse than it needed to be, or I would have failed miserably at a chance to let God shine in my life. If you have ever been in the middle of a really bad physical storm then you know you have to do some things to get through it. You have to wait it out...you are not going to control the storm. You have to be wise about your decisions or you could make some very dangerous choices. And you have have to seek shelter (or protection), or you literally could get killed. Well the same thing is true for any storm you find your life in. Pray and patiently wait for God's timing. His timing is always perfect it can't be rushed. Release it to Him and try not to control it. Be wise about your words, your actions and even your thoughts. The enemy is going to do all He can to distract you, frustrate you and destroy you...rely on God's strength and wisdom to get you through. And hide under the shelter of God....meaning pray, pray and pray some more, asking God to be your shelter in this storm. He will protect you when you give Him access to your life. And trusting Him in a time like this WILL grow your faith. In a storm the enemy wants to kill you spiritually...and God wants to give your faith new life. A storm is the opportunity for either one to happen. YOU have to decide which one you are going to let happen to you!
God, thank You for not letting me forget how you got me through my storms. Thank You for Your promises to always be there for us. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us in our times of need. Today I lift up anyone who is in the midst of a storm or a battle that seems hopeless. Please show them a peace, a joy and Your hope for their life as they release things to You and trust You. And let their life become a testimony for others to see. In Jesus name, Amen.