Contributor:
Joy Bollinger
Last Thursday, rain poured, creating a damp, and dreary day. Although, the previous day had been sunny with pleasant temperatures, I knew that it would eventually change, because weather is a never-ending, repeating cycle of good and bad weather.
It is amazing how weather can change so drastically from pleasant to miserable within a matter of hours. As I was reflecting on the great disparity in weather, it occurred to me that life, like the weather, also takes a sudden turn. One day, life is good, and all is well. Then without warning, something happens to turn our world upside down. This cycle of tranquility and then turmoil continually repeats throughout our lifetime.
The Bible reminds us that though we make our plans, we do not know what tomorrow will bring. For what is our life but a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes (James 4:13-14).
We all experience ups and downs and disappointments. For some the “downs” are more pronounced and profound than what they may be for another person. Often when we are experiencing those difficulties, it is easy to become discouraged and question if God is with us. We might even question if we are being punished or possibly forsaken by God.
Realistically, life will always have both good days and very challenging days. Just as rain is needed for nourishing and sustaining new life, God allows difficulties to draw us nearer to Him, so that we may grow spiritually, thus enabling us to remove things that hinder our walk with Him. Therefore, when we find ourselves in a “storm,” we should ask God what He wants us to learn in that particular event.
James 1:3 tells us that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness. What is steadfastness? It means to be firm, determined, resolute, relentless, implacable, single-minded; unchanging, unwavering, unhesitating, unfaltering, unswerving, unyielding, unflinching, and uncompromising.
The intensity and duration of “storms” are determined by our capacity to remain steadfast and resolute in our faith and trust in God—not in the circumstances. For James 1:4 teaches us to let steadfastness have its full effect, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Thus, storms are for the purpose of growing, developing, and maturing our faith.
Storms have a way of bringing us to our knees before God. Therefore, we might ask ourselves if we are prepared for life’s storms? Have we been daily seeking God in prayer and studying His Word? Only when we know Him intimately through prayer and His Word, can we trust and believe Him when we are dealing with adversity. If not, we will be swayed by what we see, hear, and experience.
We must also ask, “Has my perspective of God become skewed by a world view that doubts God’s Word and His promises?” God will allow us to become uncomfortable, for the purpose of re-examining ourselves and what we really believe.
Shockingly, 57 percent of Christians believe that there are several paths to heaven. If that were true, then Christ’s sacrifice for mankind was pointless. Jesus said, “I am the Way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
Nature’s storms bring renewal and life to the earth, and life’s difficulties can renew the soul and spirit and reveal God’s life-changing truths. If you are a follower of Christ, most likely you have also experienced setbacks, disappointments, heartache, etc. Possibly, you are in the middle of a “storm,” and you are asking, “Why God?” I assure you, that I have traversed through many personal trials and experienced God’s refining process, and with each trial, my faith has grown stronger.
The refining process is an opportunity to learn and grow in the knowledge of God. That time of training and purifying can be painful and seemingly interminable. But when we submit to His refining, He will produce within us a steely faith and resolve that we had not previously experienced. For that reason, He encourages us not to fear, nor be dismayed, for He is with us to strengthen, help, and uphold us with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
What do we do when stormy weather comes? Most likely we seek shelter. God wants to be a shelter for us in our “storm.” He promises, “Surely (without fail), I will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly plague. I will cover you with My feathers; under My wings you will find refuge. My faithfulness is a shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4).
Unexpected and unwanted troubles will happen; however, “do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you (I Peter 4:12). Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
We can rest, with all assurance, that God rejoices with us in the good days and walks with us and comforts and guides us in and through the difficult times. For it is in those stormy seasons of our lives, that He draws us even closer to Him, so that we may become anchored in His steadfast and ever-present love.
PRAYER: FATHER, thank you that You love me so much that You allow “storms” to draw me closer to You. Help me to be resolute in my prayer life and in reading Your Word so that my faith and trust in You may grow. Reveal those things that require change in my life. May my faith in You be steadfastly anchored in You alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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