But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV)
We are going through a devotional series titled, "The two types of Storms." These are storms - times of testing - that we will all face in our lives. Even though there are many ways that these storms can be manifested they will all fall into one of two categories, and they are:
We've been looking at, 12-Ways to deal with a "Storm." In our last devotional, we looked at our 9th way, so lets continue with number ten.
10. We need to "Accept the Storm."
One of the hardest things for all us to do is to "Accept the Storm." I am speaking of those tough times where we are enduring the afflictions, pain, and suffering that accompany our trials and tribulations in life. These are those times that can be brought about by poor choices, or by an illness or accident. They can be self-induced or simply a test that has been allowed by God to shape and transform us.
If the "Storm" is one of "Correction," it is a natural tendency for us to attempt to get out of the midst of such storms by whatever means possible. We are at a "Y" in the road at this point, and we have two ways to go from here. We can either identify that we are living in a way that is "Not" in God's will and turn and go in His direction, or we can justify our actions, continue to live in sin and therefore continue on the road to destruction.
If we fail to identify that we are in willful disobedience and rebellion to God's will, we can actually do more damage and even intensify the "Storm." Conversely, if we can identify this truth at this point, we should repent, cry out for mercy and endure the duration and effects of the storm - willingly "Accepting" whatever consequences occur as a result of our sinful rebellion against God.
If the "Storm" is one of "Perfection," such as a loss of job, a loved one, an illness or even a severe disabling accident that has not been brought about by willful disobedience, we can often feel tempted to believe as though we are a "Victim" and defend that this should not be happening to us. Again, we will definitely want to attempt to get out of the midst of such "Storms," by whatever means possible, but it is here that we must remember that God is in control, and allowing this to happen.
In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him. Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NKJV)
Accepting the things that we are going through in the midst of a "Storm" is not weak, nor is it being a defeatist - it is wise. It doesn't necessarily concede that we are destined to be in this state for the rest of our lives - it just means that we are willing to be if that is what God has ordained for us. We are not called to be Christians who are simply enduring suffering and attempting to hang on until the Rapture or our physical death. These storms actually provide a platform so we can share our testimony of God's love and therefore give our greatest witness.
"Accepting the Storm" and the things that transpire within them means that I fully trust in God's sovereignty and His perfect plan and in His perfect timing (See Jer. 29:11). It means that I am willing to surrender "My" will and accept "His" will for my life - knowing that His way is the best.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, I want to encourage you to accept the "Storms" that you go through. Seek the Lord in every one of them, and make sure that your walking with Him and abiding in His Word. Stay close to Him and have faith in His work that He is doing in your life. We serve a God that is full of grace and mercy, and He loves us tremendously.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the Scriptures contained within this devotional with regard to God's abilities and our responsibilities within the Storms of life?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Have you seen God work within your life by using various types of storms?
APPLICATION: When a storm comes upon you, seek the Lord immediately. Ask Him to sift your heart and show you any areas that you need to repent of, and then turn from them immediately. If it is a storm of perfection, then praise God for the things that He is doing and continue to allow Him to shine through you in the midst of these trials - this is what other people are amazed by and drawn to Him by.
We are going through a devotional series titled, "The two types of Storms." These are storms - times of testing - that we will all face in our lives. Even though there are many ways that these storms can be manifested they will all fall into one of two categories, and they are:
- Storms of Correction These are the tough times where we go through trials and tests because we have unconfessed sin in our life - and we are going in a way that is not in the will of God.
- Storms of Perfection These are those times where we go through trials and tests because God loves us and He is transforming us to be more like Jesus.
We've been looking at, 12-Ways to deal with a "Storm." In our last devotional, we looked at our 9th way, so lets continue with number ten.
10. We need to "Accept the Storm."
One of the hardest things for all us to do is to "Accept the Storm." I am speaking of those tough times where we are enduring the afflictions, pain, and suffering that accompany our trials and tribulations in life. These are those times that can be brought about by poor choices, or by an illness or accident. They can be self-induced or simply a test that has been allowed by God to shape and transform us.
If the "Storm" is one of "Correction," it is a natural tendency for us to attempt to get out of the midst of such storms by whatever means possible. We are at a "Y" in the road at this point, and we have two ways to go from here. We can either identify that we are living in a way that is "Not" in God's will and turn and go in His direction, or we can justify our actions, continue to live in sin and therefore continue on the road to destruction.
If we fail to identify that we are in willful disobedience and rebellion to God's will, we can actually do more damage and even intensify the "Storm." Conversely, if we can identify this truth at this point, we should repent, cry out for mercy and endure the duration and effects of the storm - willingly "Accepting" whatever consequences occur as a result of our sinful rebellion against God.
If the "Storm" is one of "Perfection," such as a loss of job, a loved one, an illness or even a severe disabling accident that has not been brought about by willful disobedience, we can often feel tempted to believe as though we are a "Victim" and defend that this should not be happening to us. Again, we will definitely want to attempt to get out of the midst of such "Storms," by whatever means possible, but it is here that we must remember that God is in control, and allowing this to happen.
In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him. Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NKJV)
Accepting the things that we are going through in the midst of a "Storm" is not weak, nor is it being a defeatist - it is wise. It doesn't necessarily concede that we are destined to be in this state for the rest of our lives - it just means that we are willing to be if that is what God has ordained for us. We are not called to be Christians who are simply enduring suffering and attempting to hang on until the Rapture or our physical death. These storms actually provide a platform so we can share our testimony of God's love and therefore give our greatest witness.
"Accepting the Storm" and the things that transpire within them means that I fully trust in God's sovereignty and His perfect plan and in His perfect timing (See Jer. 29:11). It means that I am willing to surrender "My" will and accept "His" will for my life - knowing that His way is the best.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, I want to encourage you to accept the "Storms" that you go through. Seek the Lord in every one of them, and make sure that your walking with Him and abiding in His Word. Stay close to Him and have faith in His work that He is doing in your life. We serve a God that is full of grace and mercy, and He loves us tremendously.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the Scriptures contained within this devotional with regard to God's abilities and our responsibilities within the Storms of life?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Have you seen God work within your life by using various types of storms?
APPLICATION: When a storm comes upon you, seek the Lord immediately. Ask Him to sift your heart and show you any areas that you need to repent of, and then turn from them immediately. If it is a storm of perfection, then praise God for the things that He is doing and continue to allow Him to shine through you in the midst of these trials - this is what other people are amazed by and drawn to Him by.
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