In the previous post, we looked at some ways in which we can rise above the storms of life that come our way. You can read it here
This post was inspired by the raging storm that hit the residents of Jos some days back and by God's special grace, we have risen above the storm. It is over.
In this concluding post, we shall be looking at the other ways through which we can rise above every raging storm
Philippians 4:6 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
The simplest of prayers can calm every storm in your life.
When Jesus was in a storm with his disciples
and the disciples were afraid, they called on Jesus and all He said was
"Peace be still" and there was calm (Mark 4:39).
He said in Psalm 50:15 says "Call upon me in the day of trouble; and I will deliver you and you will honor me."
Hear what Psalm 34:4-7 says,
"I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them."
While things might not change immediately as we pray, it gives us hope and the assurance that there is a supreme being up there who sees it all and will surely deliver us from every storm.
3. TRUST GOD ENOUGH TO BRING YOU OUT OF THE STORM : When the storms rage, it can create doubts of safety in one's mind and take trusting God far away from you.
There are times you even find it difficult to pray and there are times even when you pray, you still doubt your prayers or find it difficult to believe that God hears you.
Life has away of bringing you to the point where you doubt God and His word just as John the baptist did.
John the baptist knew who Jesus was and His mission here on earth, but when faced a storm of being thrown in prison, he doubted a bit who Jesus was.
So he sent his disciples to Jesus to inquire if He Jesus was the messiah or another should be expected - Luke 7:18-23.
We can either decide to trust God or let our doubts take the best of us. Trusting God is a choice we have to make daily.
It means submitting our lives in totality to God for Him to take charge or total control.
When you pray and it seems like nothing is happening, you have no better option than to trust God.
When we do this, He directs our paths and grants us wisdom on how to rise above every storm.
1 John 5:14 says "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he will hear us."
And then Psalm 56:3 says "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."
"They that trust in the lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever." (Psalm 125:1)
3. NEVER LOOSE YOUR JOY EVEN IN THE STORM: This might seem funny to hear when going through difficult times but we are never to loose our joy even in adversities.
No doubt, life can be overwhelming. Sometimes, life gives us more than a share of chaos
We are not expected to rejoice only when things go smoothly but also when things go haywire.
That's why Philippians 4:4 admonishes we "Rejoice always in the Lord: and again I say rejoice."
Joy is not something that is found on the surface but from within. It is deep rooted down in our souls and also seen as one of the fruits of of the Holy Spirit.
Our joy is not dependent on our circumstance unlike happiness that is dependent on a momentary stuff.
We become joyful in the storm because we
are anchored on God's word and our faith is in Him and our joy found in Him and not in our circumstance.
No wonder Nehemiah 8:10b says "The joy of the Lord is my strength." because our joy is found in His word.
4. SPEAK AND STAY POSITIVE : When facing a storm, your mind could run on so many negative thoughts and once these negative thoughts become words out of your mouth, they become your reality.
Staying and speaking positive in the storm will definitely determine your outcome and survival in the storm.
Instead of thinking and speaking negative in the storm, replace them with positive thoughts and words.
One major way of doing such is locating God's word concerning the situation being faced at the time.
Fill your mouth with God's promises for your life. There is no situation you face today that does not have a solution from God's word.
For instance, Romans 8:28 says "And we all know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
First things first, when faced with a dilemma, believe that God has a plan for you and through this storm, He would refine you and bring you out as gold.
He said in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have
for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future."
Until God's plan for your life is fulfilled, no storm can swallow you up. That's why He said in Isaiah 43:2-3
"When you pass through the deep, stormy sea, you can count on me to be there with you.
When you pass through the raging rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through persecution like fiery flames, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you."
Thinking, knowing and speaking the fact that God is with you through the storms will keep you strong through every storm.
Psalm 121 is also a great verse to look up to and speak in the times of raging storms as we look up to God where our help comes from.
The devil will always want to attack your confidence by throwing storms at you but then, storms are to make you stronger and not weaker.
That's why the Bible says in Proverbs 24:10 that "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." Do not give the devil that pleasure.
Every storm is to bring out the best in you and not the worst. It is meant to build your character, patience, perseverance and faith.
Stay strong and know that God is with you always. He will never leave nor forsake you - Hebrews 13:5.
And trust me, when you come out of the storm, you will come out better than when you went in.
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