Where would we be if not for storms?

As May dawned this year, Mother Nature collided in tornadoes, violent rains and flooding across West Tennessee and the rest of the Southern United States. Thanks to the efforts of rescue workers and emergency response personnel the storms terrible effects were not as devastating as they would have been without the workers’ tireless efforts.

While physical storms destroy property, landscapes and even sometimes take life, it is often the personal storms we battle that are the most difficult to overcome. One individual may struggle with an unfaithful or abusive spouse. Another may face the struggle of raising children or grandchildren alone. Yet another may struggle against sickness whether it is of a physical, mental, emotional or spiritual nature. These “storms” often sway and bend us to the breaking point: the limit of our endurance. Our personal strength, our inner levee, is no match for the troubles and trials of this life. It is in these moments that we must choose to give our lives and will over to One that is higher than ourselves. God is the same now as He always has been and always will be. Malachi 3:6 puts it in these words, “I am the LORD; I change not.”

Scripture is a great comfort when we feel that all around us is falling

to pieces. Those of us who know the joy of a relationship with Christ know that no matter how difficult our present circumstances we have a hope for a better, brighter future. We are reminded that it is in the midst of our brokenness that Christ is at His best. We are reminded to “cast all our cares upon Him,” because He cares for us and can bear our burden when we often do not even know where to begin. If we never faced adversity we would not know the satisfaction of passing through that difficult and trying time. When we consider the smallness of ourselves against the background of the magnitude of God, we are humbled and can then realize that we have a God more powerful than any storm of life.

Christianity is not just some “pie in the sky” dream of one day spending eternity with the LORD. The faith of the Christian is the knowledge that God is here now in this present moment helping His people to live and thrive. We are put on Earth but for a little while, and yet how we choose to respond to the storms we face in this briefest of times will in fact determine our immortal destiny. If we trust in our own merit, works or strength, we will find ourselves drown in the misery of life. If we, on the other hand, allow Christ to fill our lives with His joy, peace and understanding, we can face this life free from fear.

Blessings as you face the storms of your life and always remember Christ suffered that we might be justified, sanctified, and ultimately, glorified in Him.