Storm Changer

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”- Proverbs 18:10

I am generally a person who prefers the cold weather and rain. I love to know that our dry and thirsty southland is receiving much-needed refreshing and replenishing! However, I am not a fan of the noise that storms produce. Because our house is fitted with its original, aluminum windows each storm creates a chorus of unceasing chattering which makes it difficult to think, sleep, and experience peace. It is the same with the storms of life that come barreling our way.

I have found that we have become experts at identifying the TYPES of storms and the DAMAGE they cause. We clearly label troubling events in our lives like a storm chaser or meteorologist does with a natural weather phenomenon: a category 5 hurricane, a tornado, typhoon, or blizzard. We are also thorough in assessing the damage it causes: a roof comes off, a tree falls on the car, or the power goes out. I am certain that each of us are dealing with a current storm-system or two, or at the very least the forecast of something formidable heading our way.

Whatever your storm(s) may be, would you allow the Holy Spirit to take you from being a STORM CHASER to a STORM CHANGER?

I believe that the Lord is wanting to shift our focus from WHAT we are facing to WHO is with us in the storm! The storms in life can come in many forms: a challenge in a marriage or with a child; the need to find a job; processing a recent medical diagnosis; battling loneliness and depression; still grieving a loss; or struggling to get by financially each month. Let’s not make the storm that we are seeing in front of us as bigger than the Savior who is walking with us every step of the way. In the storms of life, we have access to the Author of Life who answers the storm with His authority, releasing a level of peace, rest, and confidence that an umbrella, a good roof, all-weather tires, and life insurance cannot buy. In Matthew 8:26, Jesus answers the despair of the disciples in a deadly storm, “He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”

Let’s stop defining the storm and let’s allow the Holy Spirit to speak and lead us through it!