Ever tire of the storms of life?
Ever feel sapped by the endless harassment of hurricanes, the torment of tornadoes, the frustrations of floods overtaking your days, weeks, even years?
Maybe like me, you’ve thought the best days in the garden of life are the days of warm sunshine, followed by a gentle evening rain. Just enough moisture to keep the plants growing, the tiny water droplets clinging in glistening bubbles to the buds and bushes. Those moments create majestic hallmark memories.
While ferocious storms which force us to hold onto dear life create terror-filled nightmares.
Maybe you feel you have faced more than your share of storms. Maybe, you’re afraid the next storm is the one which will drown you; you can’t possibly face one more downpour.
Dear friend, I know those feelings all too well.
Did you know a fierce lightening storm is actually much better for growing plants than a peaceful downpour? Although the livid lightening startles and frightens both young and old alike, lightening actually serves a purpose for growing and maturing plants.
Lightening heats up the air, breaking otherwise unusable nitrogen molecules. Once broken these molecules combine with oxygen and form nitrates which fall to the ground, and, you’ll never believe this, the nitrates fertilize the soil surrounding the plants.
The plant has a much healthier foundation for having lived through the storm.
It has a richer diet to supply it’s needs as it continues on with growth and development. It’s blossoms and fruit will be bigger, brighter, and healthier because it experienced the storm.
The same is true for us.
The storms of life can force us to develop our faith when that livid lightening strikes. Develop a faith that will cast out the fear that threatens to overcome us. That faith we develop during the storm will fertilize our foundation which supplies our actions and reactions as we navigate life going forward.
Living through those storms and persevering with a fertilized faith helps us to blossom and bloom as people, not shaken and shrinking when ferocious storms strike.
I have found that when I allow Him to carry me through the storm, trust Him in the tornadoes, and hide in His hand through a hurricane, that deepens my faith, grows my heart, and stabilizes my soul.
Yes, it’s those times when I test His promises, and find Him completely faithful.
He doesn’t always turn the storm away. But He does always provide for all my needs. My need for comfort for my physical safety, for comfort of my heart, and comfort for my soul. No matter what storms life may bring, those raging waters can never carry me away from the loving arms of my heavenly Father.
Though events swirling around me may quicken my heart, or threaten to stop it altogether, it is the Lord who holds me and cares for me.
Dear friend, you may be facing a literal physical storm or it’s aftermath today, or maybe it’s a life storm which threatens your peace. Cling to Jesus in the storm. He will calm the raging waters of the soul. He will restore a peace that passes understanding and He will grow you through the storm.
Dear Lord, You know the plans You have for me. Plans to prosper me, to give me a future with hope- not to harm me. Lord, these storms can so easily instill fear but You tell me to fear not. Please help me to trust in You as I allow You to carry me through life’s storms. In Jesus’ name, Amen.