Enduring your Storm

I want to thank everyone for your response to "Renewed Strength". I am beginning to realize that blogging reaches people that otherwise I would never have a chance to speak with.

I want encourage you in whatever storm you are going through to keep fighting the good fight. As I shared yesterday my storm has been years of trying unsuccessfully to conceive, and while that has been a struggle for me it does not mean that it is the only struggle out there. It doesn't take long to find people in the midst of their storm if you pay attention. A quick look at Facebook and I see people battling illness, loneliness and financial issues.

One of the greatest examples of a person in the midst of their storm is composer Horatio Spafford. After tragically losing his son a couple of years early he sent his wife and four daughters to Europe by ship for vacation. He planned to join them after finishing up some business at home but received word that the ship had a collision and none of his daughters survived. His trip was no longer a vacation but to meet up with his mourning wife and on that journey he wrote the words to this song.


Check this out on Chirbit

Now I don't know about you but I've never faced that type of heartache before and I thank God for protecting me from it. But Horatio had the same choice back in 1873 that we have today, he could chose to complain and blame God or he could say. "I don't understand this God but I know that you are a just and loving God and I trust you." The lyrics of his song plainly show his choice, but how do we cling to God in the middle of our storm?

First, glorify God in your actions and words. I am a firm believer that anything God allows He can prevent and anything He prevents He can allow. So if God is allowing something in your life then you are to use it for His glory. I'm not saying that you will always know why things happen but regardless of why it happened put your full faith in God. If everything is always good all the time then we start to think that we can do this alone. I thank God for the trials in my life because they are what has brought me closer to God. We have to speak positive and walk in faith. His word says:

Philippians 4:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Second, search your heart and look for sin or unforgiveness. I am not saying that God will punish you with sickness if you have hidden sin, but I am saying that it may be the key to your healing. Maybe God is desperately seeking after you to repent and lets face it we pray more when things are out of control. Use this time and ask God to search your heart; what do you have to lose? Even if you're not hiding unforgiveness or sin, using this time to make sure you are in right standing with God will help refocus your life.

Lastly, pray for others earnestly and often. When we realize that everyone has struggles and needs prayer we realize that our situation isn't unique. Praying for others sets you free of your self pity. It encourages you when you see God moving in their situation. It builds up the body of Christ and brings purpose and meaning to your storm. It allows your prayer life to expand and your perspective to change.

James 5:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

It's really your choice how you handle the storms of your life. Just know that God is in control and even when we don't understand why something is happening we can trust in Him. So many times in my life I have been able to look back and see why God allowed or stopped something and His way has ALWAYS been better than my way.

*Song used with Mahana's permission. (I'm sure my hubby doesn't mind either)