How Are You At Weathering the Storms?

How Are You At Weathering the Storms?

Good Morning Friends,

It has been eleven years since the last hurricane in Florida. It hit Collier County. We called the storm Wilma. Today we have Hermine. The effects here are nominal, but the Big Bend of Florida is getting slammed. Much of Tallahassee is without power and St. Pete got some rough weather. When the sun comes up a clearer picture will unfold. Some are reading this morning’s scripture and praying thankfully that they had prepared their spirits to face the challenges of life before the storm hit. This kind of work is much like gathering flashlights and water and charging cell phones to help us in preparing for a hurricane. Here preparing our hearts helps us to know God’s ways more deeply so we might have peace when others are anxious. But friends, over most of this we do not have control. We do not have a choice of when the winds and rain come. But we can prepare our hearts and that will help us. How Are You At Weathering the Storms?

Scripture: Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 (NIV)

For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

2 Corinthians 4:6-12 (NRSV)

Message: Life is full of times of preparation and storms and in them God is often up to something we might not expect. Then there are just storms. But sometimes God uses a surge of problems to point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Here the nature of our problems reveals something about us. Here we may learn through pain and failure… but there is a better way. Trouble and storms can draw people together but they can also draw us to the Lord, unifying us. Sometimes storms can be a blessing in disguise preventing us from being harmed by something more serious. Here God acts like a surge protector sacrificing a little of our comfort in the interest of our very lives. Here we might just see that something bigger is at stake and that Jesus’ Spirit, in building up the Body of Believers to be a force of his nature. Storms are serious events. Prepare for them so that they do not discourage, frustrate or defeat you. To survive life’s storms we should be prepared. But if it really gets bad one has no defense. Extra toilet paper, water and food will do very little if one’s roof is gone. One of the best provisions is therefore God’s grace. So pack up your faith as you prepare for life’s storms.

Pray we realize that Christ is no security against storms but is perfect security in them. Pray that God gets our attention. Pray that we realize that our tribulations can indeed help us develop patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope. Pray we soar above the storm. Pray we realize that even if God’s saving hand is on us, to heal our broken lives, we should still work at preparing our minds and hearts. Pray we praise God in the storm. Pray we are a lighthouse to others living in a dark world. Pray we are humble as we call upon the Lord to deliver us. Pray we glorify the Lord in our times of trouble. Pray we realize that if we have our Father then the most important roof is still intact. Pray that God directs us, corrects us, connects us and protects us. Pray that God perfects us and projects us so that others might experience His abundant provisions in life’s storms.

Blessings,

John Lawson