Storms are scary. They are loud and you never know when you will hear the next crash of lightning or roar of thunder, it is like life in that way, unpredictable.
We go through all these challenges that change and shape us, and in the middle of the storm, we get angry and frustrated. We always want someone to blame, pointing the finger at God or the first person that was there when it happened. But even in our darkest moments and the most difficult times in our lives we still have HOPE. Hope for the things in the future.
When bad things happen we like to blame God because he is in control of this crazy world anyway right? But God never said this life would be easy. If it were sunny every single day you would never learn to appreciate the rain, and if it never stopped raining you would never learn to appreciate the sun. You need them both. You have to have one in order to appreciate the other. Sometimes going through hard times makes the easier ones all that more special but it also helps us to find joy in the little things.
But we have HOPE and FAITH in God’s promises to us. His promises to never leave or forsake us.
God allowed Peter to fall into the water but He did not allow him to drown. God allowed Daniel to be put in a lion’s den, but He did not allow him to get eaten. God allowed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be thrown into a fiery furnace, but He did not allow them to get burned. God provides for all of us in our darkest moments, if we let him.
When you are going through a storm it may seem impossible to find hope or understanding but God says, “ You do not understand now what I am doing, but one day you will” John 13:7.
Storms bring rainbows, water to help flowers grow, the rain washes away all the dirt and brings a cool refreshing breeze. Sometimes we forget how beautiful the aftermath can be when we are standing in the middle of it. But we need to have FAITH in God and His ability to provide.
God does not love you any less than anyone else and he is not punishing you by giving you a storm. God sent his ONLY son to die to save you. I do not know about you but I do not know anyone who would be willing to send their only son to die for me. God sees you, He knows what you are going through, and He wants to help you, all you have to do is ask. He is a gentleman like that, waiting for you no matter how long it may take.
Bad things are going to happen, it is inevitable, but they do not have to define us or affect who we are every day. We have the choice each and every day of whether or not we are going to let the things we have no control over affect the things we do. You are not defined by the things that happen to you in this world, you are not defined by how many hardships you have been through. You are only defined by those things if you let yourself be.
Storms are tough, trust me I have been through a few, but they DO end and the sun DOES rise again. But in the middle of the storm, we can choose how we will let it affect us, and trust me, how we let it affect us can make it much worse or a lot easier. So I challenge you to this next time you are in a storm…
Ask God for help.
Have FAITH that there is a greater purpose for the storm than the one we can see right now.
Remember everything happens for a reason.
Wake up each and every day knowing that no matter how bad your storm is God WILL never leave you, even if you run from him.
Your storm does not define you.
Find as many reasons to smile or be happy that day, whether it is you are still alive, you made an A on the test, the sun is shining, give someone a compliment, anything that you can think of, just share as much positivity as you can.
Remember storms are an opportunity for new beginnings, and they may be ugly and hard and unpredictable, but the outcome is BEAUTIFUL.
Have PEACE knowing that one day the storm will end and you will have grown from it.
Find the beauty in the storm.
