We all have been through storms in our lives. I’m not talking about the weather. I’m talking about the spiritual storms; the ones that shake your faith, question your salvation, and cause you to rely fully on God, but when the storm has passed you come out the other side with a deeper understanding of God, yourself, and a stronger faith.
- To be humbled: In the world we live in it is very easy to become selfish. God sends these trials to guide us to repent and live a life that is pleasing to him. (Philippians 2:3)
- As a testimony: Sometimes we experience storms not intended for us, but for others around us. God uses our storms to equip us for serving others. By experiencing the storm we can better relate to those we are helping.
- To show God’s Promises: God promises us that he is always with us (Joshua 1:9). We may not be able to sense God’s presence during the storm, but he has made a promise to always be with us. This gives us comfort, courage, and confidence to endure.
- To show God’s Power: God is bigger than any storm or trial we face. Most times when we are experiencing a storm we see God’s power revealed in our life. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
I think of the song I Will Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns, and immediately Job comes to mind. He lost most everything he had, and as he sat in ashes and scrapped the sores on his body with a broken clay pot, his wife made the comment of why don’t you just curse God and die. (Job 2:9) Job, being the Godly Man that he was, replied “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” Job didn’t sin in what he said. ( Job 2:10). We can all take from Job’s example. Even when we are at our lowest, and we have nothing left, we must Praise God! “The lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, Blessed be the Name of the Lord” (Job 1: 21)