Oh God, this storm!
Storms can be frightening and destructive. They can be difficult, trying, painful instructive, and helpful? Wait, what? Helpful? Yes, they can be helpful. Instructive? Yes, we can learn a lot from the storms that God sends our way. You mean storms come from God? Well, nothing happens without God's knowing and consent. And, many places in the bible show where God sends "places of lack" (storms, wildernesses, valleys, etc...)our way, or sends us into them. So, yes.
In the book of Jonah, we find Jonah running from the Lord because he was chosen to work for the Lord, and he didn't want to. Does that sound like us? Because we don't want to give up what the world offers us in carnal pleasures, for the gift of responsibility that God gives to us, we run.
So he ran. In doing so, God sends (ch 1:4) first a wind to awaken him, and then a storm to shake him.
Here we find one of those places where the Bible says that God sends the winds and the tempest (storm). Just like storms in the natural world, there are typically warnings that precede the spiritual storm. Gray skies, strong winds, etc. If we learn to recognize their approach we can get ready for what's next. Next? What do I mean by that? Some storms can be avoided, while some must be weathered. If the warnings you get from God present an opportunity for you to evacuate, you should do so. But, what if you can't, and when should you stay?
For example: You are in a relationship, and you begin to see flashes of anger, hostility, inhumane behavior, narcissism, constant arguments, belittling comments, lack of empathy, etc. Your first course of action is always to pray. Ask God to instruct you. Then, listen for the instructions and obey them. If the instructions say leave, make haste. Get out.
So what if the instructions from God say that you should stay? Stay in a very difficult situation? Stay in what the world will see as a definite reason to leave? In the storm? If God says stay, you should stay. Take heart for you will not be staying under your own strength, but by His strength.
When Jonah did get back on God’s course, he was successfully preaching to a large sinful city. But, he was not successful by his own orating skill, but because he was in God's perfect will, and by God's perfect strength. His word says that in our weakness, His strength is made perfect. 2 Cor 12:9.
Isn't it wonderful that God would have us to do something and use his power with which to get it done? Don't let any storm stress you. Instead, why not do what Jesus did when he was in a storm? Mark 4:38.
We love you, and we are praying for you.
~Pastor, Dr. Erroyl McGinty, Jr.
SALT ministries
Sis. Pinky’s Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to discern who has sent a storm when it comes in my life, as well as the reason for it. Empower me with your strength to stand during a tempestuous period, and to rest in it like Jesus did.
It is in Your holy name that we pray,
Amen
