By Rhonda Stinson
Do you ever wish God would just “air lift” you out of your current distress?
God may not deliver you out of the storm, but on the contrary, deliver you through the storm.
“Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” (Psalm 31:5)
So many times we pray for God to swiftly lift us out of trials and tribulations. (No one wants to experience pain.)
In situations like this, I’ve learned that God is love. His will is what’s best for us, which often includes experiencing the turbulence and raging winds of life.
God uses our time in the storm to grow and mature us in faith, to bring fierce lightening to those areas of unbelief. He grows our understanding of who He is and how He works.
His Word, the Holy Spirit, is our lighthouse in these storms. It is the light that guides us each leg of the journey. In order to see the light through your present storm, you must be ever so watchful. Trials and tribulations are exhausting and painful, but remain awake.
“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” (Mark 13:33)
Do not hide in isolation and depression. God wants to teach you, grow you, and use you to guide others as they experience similar storms. As they see your faith at work their faith will grow just by seeing God working in and through you.
God wants to mature us to be captains who keep our eyes on Him and obey Him. Others are watching to see if your ship fares through life’s rolling waves, high winds, fierce lightening, and never-ceasing rain.
Keep your eye on God and follow His leading. He is the Master of the wind on life’s troubled sea. He may not deliver you out of the storm, but rest assured, He will deliver you through it to still waters of refreshment.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Just as God delivered Noah and company through the worldwide flood, His promises stand true forever. One man believed God, and the one true living God delivered man. God gave a sign to all mankind that He would never again destroy all living things by a worldwide flood.
“Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you…” (Genesis 9:14-15)
A rainbow is waiting for the faithful and courageous!
“[Jesus] replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” (Matthew 8:26)
