The Spiritual "STORMS" of Life (Matthew 7:24-29)

[WISDOM]

I am thankful that I am built on the ROCK (no....I'm NOT talking about Alcatrez!). I never knew how much I was until this past month of September 2004. I reside in Northwest Florida...the beautiful city of Pensacola to be exact. The home of Emmitt Smith (Dallas Cowboys/Arizona Cardinals), Derrick Brooks (Tampa Bay Bucs), Roy Jones (Boxer), Michelle Snow (WNBA), Buck Showalter (Texas Rangers Manager), Don Sutton (LA Dodgers), and Justin "Juice" Gatlin (2004 Olympian-100 Meter World Champ). It is also now most recently famous for the infamous destructive storm, Hurricane IVAN.

IVAN hit the city and surrounding areas head on, on the night of 15 September. It left a trail of destruction, devastation, and destroyed lives/property. And this just didn't happen to Pensacola. A few weeks earlier Hurricanes Charlie and Francis had done a number to south and central Florida. Hurricane Jenne followed IVAN and wound up tying a historical record of 4 storms hitting one state in such a short period of time. I'm told Texas was the last state to experience this in the 1800's. From top to bottom the state of Florida was slammed by hurricane winds for the first three weeks of September. Many, many people/families suffered and some still are. After disasters such as was experienced by so many people here life takes on a whole new perspective.....a new and much larger meaning.

I have never been more proud than I am now to be a child of GOD. This experience has drawn my family and I even CLOSER to our LORD/SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST. And I now have an even deeper respect for my Heavenly FATHER. Being a Christian automatically sets YOU and I up for the attacks of the Enemy in many ways, shapes and forms during our journey through this life. Many of us will suffer loss in a number of ways. Some may be physical, some material, some monetarily, some in a combination of those mentioned. Some may even choose to give up/lose their faith.

But for me that is what is so significant about being a true child of GOD. No matter what "STORMS" in life come upon you, GOD will help you to endure its effects, and HE will always be right there in the middle of it WITH YOU! HE will ensure that YOU and I can face ANY difficult situations, no matter if its a "Category 1 thru5.................hurricane, tornado, flood or even the threat of death. Our FATHER provides YOU and I daily with a sufficient amount of mercy and grace to face all the dangers this life has to offer. But YOU have to rely on your FAITH in HIM and HIS Word! If not, you will be overwhelmed by circumstances. We suffered major structural damages to our home & property, as well as our three vehicles. Yet after the shock of it all GOD bestowed HIS PEACE upon my family, and already repair actions and negotiations are under way. (John 14:27)

Here's the key......if the "house" that HIS HOLY SPIRIT resides in wasn't found on the ROCK, both my family and I would have probably gone to pieces (house built on sand).

You see....whenever GOD allows things such as what we recently experienced to happen to HIS children, it is done with a good purpose in mind. HE is preparing YOU for a deeper relationship with HIM based not only on your faith in HIM, but also how much you will TRUST and OBEY HIM. Trials such as the four hurricanes impacted Christians all over Florida. Hurricane IVAN was MY BIG TEST! Already GOD has blessed me in more ways than I have room to write about on this thread. I have seen HIS hand in everything since the storm that has positively impacted my family. (John 16:12-15)

When YOU have been wounded you begin to see wounded people in a new light. Our FATHER gives us comfort in all our trials so that we in turn may be able to give the same sort of strong sympathy to others in their troubles we receive from GOD. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) This has nothing to do with how "heavy" you are in Bible knowledge....no, it has EVERYTHING to do with the inclinations of YOUR spiritual heart! If our FATHER could not mold or break YOU and I, or couldn't take our strengths/weaknesses/mistakes and the bad "storms" that have happened to us and use them for HIS purposes a whole lot of us would have self-destructed a long time ago. Whatever YOUR "storms" are GOD knew about it/them long before YOU and I became Christians! (Ephesians 1:4) HE's not going to waste anything HE can use, or anything HE's created. Whatever YOUR "storm" is, through it our FATHER will prepare, position and enable YOU to do what HE knows you're capable of performing most effectively for the Kingdom, and great things you and I can't even begin to imagine WHILE we're going through it. YOUR "storm" serves a great purpose for many!

I've always taken notice of how Satan wanted to "sift" Peter while he was going through his training/teaching under our LORD when HE walked this earth. In Luke 22:31 the Enemy was requesting permission to bring a "storm" into Peter's life. If you ever read the verses 31 & 32 in their entirety you can see the LORD knew Peter would fail ("And you, once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers"). Through the "storms of life" CHRIST will ALWAYS bring us out to something better on the other side, IF we will endure to the end of it. HE is our HIGH PRIEST in HEAVEN always praying for us that our FAITH will not fail (Hebrews 4:14-16) as HE did while here in an earthly body (John 17:20-26). I believe HE also prays that no matter what YOU or I might do in a moment of weakness, once our faith has reasserted itself, HE will use that experience to strengthen other Christians in CHRIST through us! (1 John 2:1-2) In other words.....when YOU get yourself together HE will still have a ministry for you! (Romans 11:29) And it will be something that ONLY YOU will be qualified for. Our FATHER always has the upper hand! :rofl:

AFTER the "storms" our FATHER can take YOUR most monstrous failures and turn them into TRIUMPHS such as you never could imagine. If there wasn't some value HE sees in YOU, YOU wouldn't be worth "sifting" anyway!! Sifting is HIS way of purifying, of straining out the junk and refining what's left (although Satan doesn't realize this..hee hee hee). That my bro/sis means that there has to be something worth salvaging in YOU and I after the "storm" in the first place. To be tested in such a way by GOD because of our direct connection to HIM....is an honor! (James 1:2-3)

Now maybe you can understand why I said the Peace of GOD has encompassed me through all of this "sifting" because of Hurricane IVAN. I know whatever HE sends me through is for my good and gives me the opportunity to grow and share/encourage/edify YOU, my brothers and sisters in CHRIST and others seeking answers. After the "storms" we all face, our FATHER always gives us a NEW DAY to experience HIS blessings through our faith, trust, and obedience to HIM (Lamentations 3:22-23). And if you fail in light of everything the grace of GOD is so far reaching and profound that HE can use YOUR failures. BELIEVE ME, HE DOESN'T WASTE A THING!!! No matter what YOUR background or how deep the pain you've been through, the LORD will be with you. GOD can take whatever the "storm" was which caused YOU rejection, pain, hurt, any psychological difficulties, and STILLl do something with them in your life, NO MATTER how ugly the whole mess might be. HE never lets us get in too far over our heads. Sometimes, though, we go through tough times so we can come out at the other end STRONGER than ever. Our FATHER ALWAYS has something better in mind!

Those "storms", although they may appear to be.....are NEVER an accident! After every one of them we are to continue to go forward - cost what it may. We have no "armor" on our backs! BE GRATEFUL!!! (whatever the cost)

**Romans 8:28.....Psalm 103:17; 138:8......Exodus 33:19....Matthew 6:31-32....Hebrews 11:6.....John 16:33**

Edited October 16, 2004 by WISDOM

[wordsower]

Many of us will suffer loss in a number of ways. Some may be physical, some material, some monetarily, some in a combination of those mentioned. Some may even give up on and lose their faith.

and emotional.

Thank you so much Wisdom,

I just was out on the porch, crying like a spoiled brat, having a pity party with God, telling Him how unfair it all was and reminding Him of how He promised me in a dream that He had something better for my life and I came in a read your post.

You re-confirmed everything that He has told me, He will turn it all out for good.

I'm so sorry for your material loss but so grateful for your spiritual gain.

May the Lord continue to bless you brother,

Sabra

[Orr v'emet]

When YOU have been wounded you begin to see wounded people in a new light. Our FATHER gives us comfort in all our trials so that we in turn may be able to give the same sort of strong sympathy to others in their troubles we receive from GOD. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) This has nothing to do with how "heavy" you are in Bible knowledge....no, it has EVERYTHING to do with the inclinations of YOUR spiritual heart! If our FATHER could not mold or break YOU and I, or couldn't take our strengths/weaknesses/mistakes and the bad "storms" that have happened to us and use them for HIS purposes a whole lot of us would have self-destructed a long time ago. Whatever YOUR "storms" are GOD knew about it/them long before YOU and I became Christians! HE's not going to waste anything HE can use, or anything HE's created. Whatever YOUR "storm" is, through it our FATHER will prepare, position and enable YOU to do what HE knows you're capable of performing most effectively for the Kingdom, and great things you and I can't even begin to imagine WHILE we're going through it.

I completely understand this...personal story: My dad experienced a massive heart attack in 2000. His brain was without oxygen for 10 minutes causing a loss of short term memory and quite frankly a personality change. We were in the hospital initally for a month it seems like. My dad couldn't feed himself, walk, remember how to do anything. I lost so much sleep staying up with my dad and sisters wondering if he would wake up in the middle of the night with seizures or who knows what. Our experiece lasted about 5 months of being in and out of the hospital.

Two years later I got my social work degree and started a job in a hospital. Now I am the one who is there trying to help families through difficult and painful situations. I am very empathetic with them and it's quiet easy to relate to them. Now if God had not allowed everything to happen with my father, I wouldn't be prepared for what I do now everyday. Satan wanted to use that situation for harm...to take my eyes off the Father but instead God used it to draw me closer to him. The thing I learned from that situation is that in the midst of the storm, if we hang on tight and keep our eyes focused on the Lord, He will carry us through and draw us closer to him.

(although Satan doesn't realize this..hee hee hee).

Awesome thread Nate!

[Guest Thomas I believe]

Hi Wisdom, A lot to think about in your post and how true it is in our current day and world. Thanks for reminding me of how important it is for growth in Him. Our pains and tribulations are so small compared to the Cross. It is through the trials that we all face each day, that our strength in God grows as we know and trust that His Will is correct even thought somedays it can be very saddening and painful. Faith is exactly that, believing and trusting that all will be ok, and with our Lord it can only be good. Great post

[traveller]

Beautifully said WISDOM. Clearly the Holy Spirit led your words.

Sabra, sis, our Father began a work in you, and He is faithful to finish all that He starts. Your blessings will far outweigh your sorrows. It will happen sis. :il:

[wordsower]

"Confirmed by the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses"

You're right, it will!! Thank you Traveller.

[WISDOM]

Many of us will suffer loss in a number of ways. Some may be physical, some material, some monetarily, some in a combination of those mentioned. Some may even give up on and lose their faith.

and emotional.

Thank you so much Wisdom,

I just was out on the porch, crying like a spoiled brat, having a pity party with God, telling Him how unfair it all was and reminding Him of how He promised me in a dream that He had something better for my life and I came in a read your post.

You re-confirmed everything that He has told me, He will turn it all out for good.

I'm so sorry for your material loss but so grateful for your spiritual gain.

May the Lord continue to bless you brother,

Sabra

Good morn Sabra....

I'm feelin' ya. Just let me give you these words of encouragement....

Our FATHER knows we can do all things by HIS grace and mercy, so HE is trusting in YOU and I to TRUST in HIM. Many times the "road" gets "darker" and we cannot even "see" our hand in front of our face. But those are the moments more than any that we need to put aside any trust we have in our feelings, vice our faith in HIM. HE becomes our "GPS" (Global Positioning System) during those moments, steering us through the dark times.

They become opportunities to exercise our FAITH in the same way a weightlifter/body builder buffets his/her frame (and mind). Sis, I learned that we become our strongest when we're at our weakest point, and oftentimes we can't see it because our focus and attention is on ourselves, in which case YOU have to empty yourself in order to be full of HIM. Our FATHER has blessed me (unexpectedly) COUNTLESS times whenever I've chosen to do something for someone else in need, although I was "down-in-the-dumps" at the time of my action.

We will continue to encounter hardships. People WILL CONTINUE to disappoint us (as we will do to others and ourselves). But the living GOD, our FATHER, is constant AND compassionate (even though we DON'T deserve it most of the time). Against all reason, HE loves us so much that HE has committed HIMSELF to us. HE has entrusted to YOU and I a great deal. HE KNOWS that we CAN DO all things by HIS mercy and grace. Just trust HIM at HIS Word. HE cannot lie. It's an impossibility.

You felt hurt and alone yesterday out on your porch......behind the scenes through me HE was already assuring YOU that HE cares! Sabra, it is the perceived brilliantly disguised "unsolvable problems" that give us the opportunities to test the wealth of CHRIST in our lives. THAT....is the platform upon which our DADDY does HIS greatest work! I don't know what your situation/circumstance is, however, I do know that when HE is in the middle of it, and you come to a dangerous place, HE magnificently delivers! Wait on HIM. Continue to trust PATIENTLY in HIM. HE's not known for doing "standard things".

TYVM for your kind words. Believe it or not though....through our loss (which can be rebuilt/reconstructed) we have gain greater spiritual insight.

**Proverbs 3:5-6**

[WISDOM]

Hey Kris!

Yes....you do know! I can tell in your post. The experience truly does change you from the inside out, doesn't it? And if you as a person really know the LORD as your SAVIOUR (and are yielded to the HOLY SPIRIT) you'll find that HE will use situations such as yours to develop a more compassionate heart within. Wounds may heal, but the scars are always there to remind us. A person can choose to be bitter about the "scar" or helpful to others when they see the same "scar" on them.

Well spoken....what Satan meant for your bad/destruction, GOD turned it around for your good AND the benefit of others.

[WISDOM]

Hi Wisdom,  A lot to think about in your post and how true it is in our current day and world. Thanks for reminding me of how important it is for growth in Him. Our pains and tribulations are so small compared to the Cross. It is through the trials that we all face each day, that our strength in  God grows as we know and trust  that His Will is correct even thought somedays it can be very saddening and painful. Faith is exactly that, believing and trusting that all will be ok, and with our Lord it can only be good. Great post    Michael

What's happenin' Mike?!!

It's nice to meet you!

You're right bruh...growth is EXTREMELY important. Without it we take many such matters as I've identified in this thread too personal. And once we allow bitterness, envy and anger to set in (along with a "pity-party" or two) the Enemy is overjoyed!!

Since our FATHER, the living GOD "orders our steps" nothing accidently happens to us. HE knows the "forecast" of every "storm" we'll face until we go home to be with HIM. HE personally cares more about the things that worry us than we do. That's why HE asks us to give them all to HIM and leave them there (1 Peter 5:7). YOU and I are HIS personal concerns! HE takes care of the problems/barriers when we take our hands off! And many times HE surprises us in the way HE does it. HIS plan is always better than ours. Sometimes things happen that seem totally contradictory, but these are HIS arrangements. I've learned that it is a waste of time trying to unscrew HIS inscrutable workings. Simply.....just TRUST and OBEY, and remain FAITHFUL. HE'll never fail you!

[WISDOM]

Beautifully said WISDOM. Clearly the Holy Spirit led your words.

Sabra, sis, our Father began a work in you, and He is faithful to finish all that He starts. Your blessings will far outweigh your sorrows. It will happen sis. :il:

Trav...thanks Sis

You're ALWAYS on top of things, and you always reflect excellent insight also!