In The Storm

Where I live, it’s been raining every single day for the past three weeks, like a lot of rain. The local news outlets say that we’ve reached a record high in rainfalls. We’ve heard stories of flooding, evacuation notices, and cars under water, power outages, and a lot of buzz on social media about this horrible weather. And today is no exception, the storm continues to hit us and hit us hard. Everyone in this town is to the point where they’re like…ok, we’re like, “Enough!” When is this storm going to be over? We’ve already endured enough! It’s uncomfortable, you get wet and sticky and you have to take extra precaution when driving. Some may say extra prayers when leaving the house because the storm can be pretty nasty.

Today, during my morning devotional, I was reminded how important and necessary “storms” are in our lives. When we are in the storm, we are in God’s safe haven. It is not in our homes where we feel safe, it is not in our comfort zones, it is not in our jobs and careers, churches or ministries; it’s in the arms of our Heavenly Father where we find refuge in our times of need. It is in those storms, where God’s love and grace is revealed in our lives. He shows His mercy and compassion in the midst of those moments where we feel like we’re drowning in floods of uncertainties.  It’s not when the sun is shining bright where we feel hopelessness and despair, it is in the raging storm where we feel Him the closest.  

 

There are three things I want you never to forget when you find yourself in the storm:

1. Embrace the storm when it hits your life. Embrace it because it will come anyways, so you might as well have a good attitude going into it because there is a lesson to be learned. Many times, we may feel weary and the easiest thing to do is give up, but do not give up. You will not be able to get through the storm with your own strength, that is why it’s important to keep focused and put your faith in Jesus; He will give you the strength to endure and get past the storm.

2. This too shall pass. Storms will come into your life and storms will exit your life. The sun will come out again and brighten your gloomy day. I don’t know about you but it’s exciting to be reminded of this. Although we may face a season of gloom, once we get past it, the warmth of the bright sun will shine upon our faces and radiate joy and happiness.

3. And finally, remember that the storm will come, the storm will go but Jesus always stays. He is faithful and He will remain! The bible says in Psalm 27:4 “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close”. What a wonderful promise made to us that no matter who leaves, Jesus will NEVER leave us. It is in times of trouble; in the storm, where we discover who is really there for us and who has left. Today, we are gently and lovingly reminded that no matter who has left, Jesus will never leave.

 As I previously said in the beginning, storms are important and necessary in our lives. We don’t like them but we have to endure them. We must learn from them because they serve as stepping stones for where God wants to take us. Storms promote us to the next level, if we’re able to pass a rainfall, then we’re challenged at a higher level. And the more we’re challenged, the more God can entrust us. So today, thank God if you’ve past the rainfall level and you’re enduring a thunderstorm because if He helped you through the last storm, He will certainly help you with this one. And if your storm is catastrophic, hurricane “I WILL DESTROY YOU” thank God for that storm because it just means that the SUN will shine so, so bright and you have no idea what God has in store for you at the end. No matter how intense your storm may be, don’t give up, keep focused and put your faith in Jesus. Your storm will pass, so just hold on tight; just a little longer! Jesus will give you the strength to get through it and He will be with you every step of the way. And when you get past it, you will look back and say, “it was worth going through the storm because look at me now”.

Be Encouraged, Be Blessed!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥