One of the best parts of the summer months is the storms that come through. It is exciting to see the lightning fill up the sky, hear the loud thunder claps, and to hear the quiet, but heavy raindrops. Nothing fascinates me more than a thunderstorm. I like to gaze out the window to see the dark sky, flashes of lightning, and the tough, fast winds moving through the trees. Storms can also cause a lot of damage to homes, buildings, cars, and entire cities. Storms are not always a good thing, but they are a part of God's magnificent, beautiful creation. When it rains, for example, the rainbow is God's promise that he will never flood the earth again.
There are physical, literal storms in our lives, but there are also metaphorical storms happening in our lives as well. These storms are the trials and tribulations that we face on a daily basis on our Christian walk with Jesus Christ. Trials and tribulations are not necessarily bad. Most people have a tendency to get upset when something in their life is going wrong, so they may fall away from God or lose faith entirely.
God uses pain and struggle to test us and our faith. If we can stand through the storms, we develop perseverance, and we tend to grow in faith and walk more closer to Jesus in the end. A good place to look in the Bible about trials, temptations, and tribulations is the book of James. James 1:2 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." No one says life on earth will be easy. Certainly, no one says that making decisions and choices will be simple. God tests the faith of everyone because he loves every person on this earth. He wants people to come and know, love, and follow him.
When things get hard, do not give up and turn away. Rely on God. If you try your best, you might fail because you are not leaning on Jesus. However, if you try your best and put your trust in Jesus Christ, you will never fail. God wants us to work hard. He has already prepared the work that we are supposed to (Ephesians 2:10), so that we may be ambassadors for Christ. When we get through the tough times, we have persevered and can stand victoriously in heaven right next to Jesus. Depressing years may be painful now, but the reward for perseverance is great later. For James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." Stay faithful to God and his unfailing love, and God will give you your crown of life.
It is so easy to walk away from your faith and turn away from God in the storms and in the valley because you may think God is tempting you. You may think that he does not care for you. In fact, he loves you deeply. He loves to show kindness. The storms are his way of showing kindness, so that you may have faith and believe in Jesus. Then, you will be saved.
It is also easy to blame God for the messes in life. Do not blame him. You should be thanking him. You should praise his name in the storm because he is helping you become complete, so that you may get up and walk humbly and peacefully with him some day. James 1:13-14 explains that God does not tempt you, but you are tempted by your evil desire. It says, "When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." Before you are saved, your old self was not pleasing God. It was pleasing evil. When you become saved, you turn away from evil . You still may do some wrong because of your sinful nature, but pleasing God will be your number one goal.
The most important thing to remember is that God is always right by your side, even during the hardest, toughest part of the storm. It is all right to be afraid, but know that God is right there with you and ready to support you. When you are in a storm in your life, the best thing to do is to talk to God. God wants to help you. You must admit you absolutely need his help because you positively cannot do anything without him. For Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Through God, anything is possible. He can move mountains.
The storms that you are facing can be huge opportunities for you to draw closer to Jesus. You just have to ask God for help and for him to come inside of you. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Do not be afraid to talk to God. He is your friend. He is the best listener there is. God can give you great wisdom and great understanding.
He is all-powerful to do miraculous things with your life. He is the commander of destiny and the Father of Hope for the future. God will never let go, even in the darkest of days. Therefore, Praise Him in the Storm.
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