How do you feel when God is about to speak to you in the midst of your storm? Life comes with troubles, regardless of whether or not you follow Jesus Christ. I want you to remember as you face life’s storms that Jesus is with you. You are not alone. And, you have to focus on God’s promises for His chosen people. He promises some big stuff. Like. Hebrews 13:5 ‘I’ll never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Or, Exodus 14:14 says “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” These promises are everlasting because God wants us to be assured He is with us, in the amid of our storms.

But, rather than focus on the problems, we should be focused on the promises. If we focus too much on the problems, we will eventually lose sight of the promises. That’s the tough part. We have to read God’s word every day. We can’t do it sporadically and expect God to do supernatural things in our lives. Reading God’s word and spending time in prayer allows us to develop that special relationship with Him.

Then, we begin to see who we are through the lens of Jesus Christ.
I’m reminded of Abraham when he asked God a question about Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18. He had a long conversation with God. Abraham was negotiating with God for the people in that city. Negotiate is a big word. But, it’s even bigger when we’re doing it with God. Wow! What an amazing relationship. Do you feel that close to God to negotiate about the storms you’re in or facing?

Remember, God wants us to ask him questions about our situations. The more we keep company with God. He becomes our close companion and we will desire Him to accompany us in the storm, as we listen to His voice. Even if you don’t feel comfortable negotiating, build that relationship so you can have peace and calm while you’re struggling through what you’re facing. I guarantee the relationship with God will grow divinely.

Every storm has a purpose and all the pain is not in vain. God doesn’t always reveal it when we want Him to. In some cases, we won’t discover what it is until we get to Heaven. But, He has promised us, if we love Him, He will use the good, the bad, and the bitter winds for our good and His glory.

When you feel like giving up, look up. Fix your hope on Him because your storm has a purpose.

Over the past two years, I’ve been in some storms. I can’t say one is greater than the next. I just know they’re all uncomfortable because the bitter winds are continuously blowing. But, every challenge, has strengthened my faith. I am equally persuaded, those challenges have given me the confidence I need because I’m not in my storms alone. My storms are just apart of those three cycles of life.

I’ve learned we’re in either three places in life. We are either going into a storm. We’re in a storm. Or, we are coming out of a storm. And, that cycle starts all over again after a period of time. Let me share with you our most recent storm that God brought us through. I recognized this storm was different. I was closer to God. I literally witnessed His hand of protection and peace over our lives.

My husband went to the doctor to have his regular check-up. The primary care physician was concerned about certain levels increasing in his blood. So extensive tests were done. Then, we got the call. The nurse scheduled an appointment for us to meet with his doctor.

Rats! The anticipation…

Upon the doctor walking into the room, he had such a puzzling look on his face. After sitting down, he said, “Well, Mr. Tatum. The MRI shows you have prostate cancer. At that moment, the world stopped for us. We were floored, when we got the news. You know that word cancer, when you hear it, it’s like a death sentence in your mind.

So many things went through my mind in an instant. We’re both retired. We’re just getting to the good part of our life. Who am I going to stay with, if he dies? Who’s going to pay our bills because I don’t have a clue how he does this every month? My thoughts were endless. Nonetheless, we went through the process of surgery and his recovery has left me speechless. Before leaving the doctor after three days stay, he’s cancer-free. Glory!

Now, let me explain the storms. The storms we encounter are nothing like the storms we experience during seasonal changes. You know the signs are supposedly precluded by looking outside or simply checking our cell phones for the weather. The majority of the time we know what to expect. It’s that simple.

Those storms give us the opportunity to prepare ahead of time. However, the storms of life don’t give us the opportunity to prepare. I’m persuaded in my heart. We can be ready, when they come unannounced, but given permission by God.

We can’t make it through the storms of divorce, losing a child or spouse, being laid off the job or diagnosed with an illness; without a theological foundation in place for how to face such storms. We are at a greater risk of being blown over by the fierce winds of suffering when they arrive. We won’t last.

In our storm, my husband and I had one thing mutual. We had trust in Jesus Christ. We felt his overwhelming peace and knew there was a purpose in this storm. No one could influence our thoughts any greater. God was with us.

I’m convinced that our faith grows in the midst of obscurity. God tests our faith and it becomes a ‘practice.’ We have to practice trusting God. There’s no other way to do it. God loves us! Yet, he puts us in positions so we can see ourselves in the midst of our storms. And, we’re inclined to draw closer to Him. Furthermore, we’re able to find ourselves during the storms.

In conclusion, if you are in one of the three cycles I mentioned. Remember, God’s Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm. Hold tight to His Word and you’ll be able to stay true when faced with life’s greatest challenges.