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Facing The Storms Of Life
7 Things To Do When Facing The Storms Of
Life
WRITTEN BY HAROLD
HERRING
Have
you ever been in a serious thunderstorm. . . or maybe even a hurricane or
tornado?
I’ve
never been in a tornado but I have been through a couple of hurricanes and many
serious thunderstorms.
During
our time in Texas. . . it was not unusual to have thunderstorms with 60-70 mile
an hour winds and frequent lightning strikes. I remember one storm where
there were over 1,000 lighting strikes in an hour.
When serious storms come up. . . we’re looking for a safe
place.
How
would you react if you were in the middle of the sea when a violent storm
arose?
Mark
4:37 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:
“And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose,
and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming
filled.”
The
disciples and Jesus were crossing the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm began
to rage. The disciples were frightened, fearful and faithless in the midst of what they perceived to be a
potentially, deadly situation.
Here
are seven things we should do when facing the storms of our lives.
1. When trouble is headed your way. . . always do what
Jesus did.
When
the storms of life rise up against you. . . seek to be at peace.
When
troubles come your way. . . do you find yourself
having sleepless nights? Maybe tossing and turning. . . worrying
about what may or may not happen.
Don’t
you think Jesus knew there was a weather
pattern forming. . . about to churn into a dangerous storm?
We
should follow His direction as found in Mark 4:38 in the New King James Bible
which says:
“But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him
and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
The
disciples had done exactly as Jesus told them to do.
They
shoved off from the shore to cross over to the other side.
The
storm came about so quickly that the disciples were swamped.
I must
admit this sounds far too familiar. We have lived this experience.
We have been simply going about our business doing what we
knew to be the will of God.
In the
one moment things were fine. In the next moment we found ourselves
surrounded by a storm... and taking on water.
How do we handle the storms. . . the adversities when one
comes upon us suddenly?
Matthew
6:34 in the Message Bible offers some great advice:
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now,
and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will
help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”
I love
reading about the faith and spiritual exploits of Smith Wigglesworth. How
do we handle the storms of life and attacks of the enemy?
Listen
to how Brother Wigglesworth handled one encounter with the devil.
"We were sleeping one night, when the
manifestation of evil filled the room and the spirit of fear gripped both of
us. Polly was so frightened she could not open her eyes. I suddenly sat up, in
the bed, and saw the devil. I rubbed my eyes to be sure, it was him. I said,
‘Oh! It's only you.' I then turned to Polly and told her to go back to sleep,
it was nothing of consequence, and I laid my head back down. Suddenly an
overwhelming sense of peace and love filled the room and we had the most
blessed sleep ever."
In the
middle of the storms of life. . . learn to let
Jesus be your peace factor. If He did it for Smith Wigglesworth, He will
do it for you.
2. You gotta know God will never tell you to do
anything dangerous without a way of escape.
Mark
4:35 in the Amplified Bible says:
“On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let
us go over to the other side [of the lake].”
Do you
believe the Son of God knew what was going to happen to that boat. . . before
it ever happened?
Of
course He did!!
Acts
2:23 in the New Living Translation says:
“But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was
carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you
nailed him to a cross and killed him.”
If Jesus knew He was going to be betrayed and crucified. . . He most certainly knew about a storm on the
Sea of Galilee.
And
even if He didn’t . . . He knew His Father had an answer to the problem . . . the
same way we know God always has an answer
for us.
Since
Jesus knew the storm was coming. . . do you really think He would have put the
disciples. . . those closest to Him . . . in a position to drown and die? Of
course, not!
In
everything you face in life. . . no matter how
great the temptation or seemingly insurmountable the problem may be. . .
God always provides a way of escape.
1
Corinthians 10:13 says:
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye
are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may
be able to bear it.”
When
you’re facing the storms of life. . . God is not in heaven wringing His
hands wondering what is going to happen to you next.
In
Numbers 11 we read where the Children of Israel were hungry and whining. God
heard them and told Moses how he was going to provide for them.
Numbers
11:19-20 in the New Living Translation says:
“And it won’t be for just a day or two, or for five or ten or
even twenty. You will eat it [meat] for a whole month until you gag and
are sick of it. For you have rejected the Lord, who is here among you, and you
have whined to him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’
Now
this miracle promise was so amazing that even Moses, who had faithfully believed
God in every instance, had a hard time believing it . . . for He said to the Lord in Numbers 11:21:
“There are 600,000 men alone . . . yet you
promise them meat for a whole month! If we butcher all our flocks . . . it
won’t be enough! We would have to catch every fish in the ocean to
fulfill your promise!”
Verse
23 in the Living Bible gives us God’s
overpowering response to Moses’ doubt. One that is so powerful, we
need to take it to heart in a very personal way:
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “When did I become
weak?
God is not weak! He never has been and He never will be. It
is not only His will . . . but He wants to show Himself mighty on our
behalf. However . . . we must trust Him for it to be so.
Romans
4:20 in the Amplified Bible says:
“No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question)
concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as
he gave praise and glory to God.”
Not
only is God not weak. . . He will show Himself strong on your behalf.
Psalm
68:28 in the New American Standard Version of the Bible says:
“Your God has commanded your strength; Show Yourself strong, O
God, who have acted on our behalf.”
2
Chronicles 16:9 in the New King James Bible says:
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro
throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf o fthose whose
heart is loyal to Him….”
3. God is not moved by the adversities we face. . . and
neither should we be.
Let me
give you an absolute fact. . . if you’re doing what God has called you to do .
. . fulfilling His vision for your life. . . being obedient to His divine
direction. . . stuff is going to happen.
The
enemy will not sit idly by. He wants to do
whatever he can to render you ineffective for and to the Kingdom of God.
The
disciples were with Jesus 24/7 yet fear
made them forget who they were traveling with. Even the disciples
had to learn to trust Jesus by the doubt-creating circumstances they faced.
I
remember one airline flight where a violent thunderstorm was in the distance as
the plane leveled off at its cruising altitude.
As we
drew closer and closer to the thunderstorm. . . the lady sitting next to me
became increasing nervous and fearful about the storm.
I
listened quietly until she commented she didn’t want to die in a plane
crash. I confidently told her that our plane was not going to crash. . . that
we were going to arrive safely at our destination.
When she asked me how I could be so sure. . . I said: “because I’m on this plane and God still has a lot
for me to accomplish in my life.”
Then I
told her He had plans for her as well.
That’s
when I discovered she loved the Lord and was a Christian but her faith was
weakened because of facing fear without faith.
Isaiah
41:10 in the Message Bible says:
“Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your
God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a
firm grip on you."
Even in the midst of your personal storms. . . God has a
firm grip on you.
4. When in the midst of the storms of life. . . call
on Him and quote the Word.
When
trouble comes. . . who will you call on for help? Not Ghostbusters. . . but the
Holy Ghost.
Psalm
86:7 says:
“In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt
answer me.”
If you
need the peace of God in your life. . . if you need deliverance from the storms
of adversity. . . heed the words of Jeremiah 29:12-14 in the Amplified Bible:
“Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me,
and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, inquire for,
and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with
all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will
release you from captivity. . .”
Now here’s a revelation. You can’t quote what you don’t know.
Now here’s a revelation. You can’t quote what you don’t know.
Matthew
22:29 in the New Living Translation says:
“Jesus replied,`Your mistake is that you don’t know the
Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.’”
All
professional athletes go to training camps before playing in games that count.
You need spiritual training. . . so when you encounter the
storms of life you can be victorious.
Or
else, you fate will be worse than having a bad season. Your Bible is your
training manual for every season of your life.
Spiritual preparation always precedes victories over the
storms of life.
5. When you rely on the Word. . . all your fears will
leave.
The
best reason not to be afraid. . . is because the Word of God tells you not to. If
you’re already counting on some of the Word . . . why not count on all of the
Word?
I could
give you numerous scriptures but I’m only going to go over four. The truth
of the matter is. . . one could be enough.
First,
Isaiah 41:10 in the Contemporary English Version says:
“Don't be afraid. I am with you. Don't tremble
with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm
and give you victories.”
If
you’ve been unsuccessful. . . don’t worry or fret. . . the Word says that God.
. . not your relatives . . . not your boss. . . co-workers. . . best friend or
anyone else will make you victorious.
God
brings you the victories you desire.
Second,
Psalm 118:6 in the Message Bible says:
“God's now at my side and I'm not afraid; who would dare lay a
hand on me?”
I love
watching movies where it seems that all is lost. . . the good guy is about to
go down to defeat or perhaps, even death. . . when suddenly the cavalry shows
up and the good guy is saved.
Third,
Deuteronomy 20:1 in the Message Bible says:
“. . . In a few minutes you're going to do battle with your
enemies. Don't waver in resolve. Don't fear. Don't hesitate. Don't panic. God,
your God, is right there with you, fighting with you against your enemies,
fighting to win."
Don’t waver. . . don’t doubt. . . don’t fear. . . don’t
worry. . . don’t hesitate. . . don’t panic because your God will bring you the
victory.
Fourth,
Psalm 139:5 in the Message Bible says:
“. . . You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out
of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the
first sentence.
“I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're
there, too — your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too
much, too wonderful — I can't take it all in!”
I’ve
written extensively about how to deal with fear and worry. I strongly
suggest you visit our website www.debtfreearmy.org and
search for “fear” or “worry.”
You’ll
find lots of spiritual as well as practical encouragement on how to overcome
these mind games of the enemy.
6. When facing the storms of life. . .tell your
circumstances and those in your boat to be still.
Sometimes
you don’t even have to tell your friends. . . more properly, known as
acquaintances to be quiet. . . because at the first sign of adversity. . . they’re gone faster than a snow man in 80 degree
sunshine.
However,
for those who either comment before bolting or hang around. . . never let
the second voice distract you from what you know to be spiritual truth and
your ability to allow God’s power to work through you.
Mark
4:39 in the Amplified Bible says:
“And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush
now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by
its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect
peacefulness).”
When
Jesus got up. . . He assessed the situation. . . then He rebuked the winds and
the waves.
The
literal Greek translation of “be still” is
“be muzzled” or “be gagged.”
This
next point is very important. It’s critical to note Jesus did not pray about the storm He was facing.
Jesus spoke to the storm and commanded it to stop causing
trouble.
One
other point. . .
Have
you ever thought about how you want others to perceive you. . . what you want
them to say or think about you?
Truthfully,
I can think of several ways I’d want to be spoken of. . . but none more
satisfying than what’s found in Mark 4:41 in the Message Bible which says:
“They were in absolute awe, staggered. “Who is this,
anyway?" they asked. "Wind and sea at his beck and call!"
You’re
probably thinking . . . yes, but that was Jesus. I understand that but
what about John 14:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible which says:
“I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly
believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will
do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.”
7. Always be willing to learn in every situation.
Philippians
4:11 in the New Living Translation says:
“I’m not saying this because I’m in any need. I’ve learned to be
content in whatever situation I’m in.”
This
scripture is most often misunderstood . . . it’s
not a scriptural admonition to ‘settle for’ in life.
Go
to www.debtfreearmy.org and search for “The
Difference Between Contentment And Complacency.” The teaching is definitely a
game changer.
I’ve
gone through some things in my life. . . and I’ve wanted to learn everything I
could in those situations. . . so I would never have to experience them again.
Philippians
4:12 in the New Living Translation says:
“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have
learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full
stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”
God clearly wants us to learn how to live blessed, full of
joy and content in every situation, circumstance, problem and adversity that we
face.
Meditate
on Philippians 4:13 in the Message Bible:
“Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything
in the One who makes me who I am.”
The only way God can make us who He wants us to be. . . is by
our willingness to learn from every situation we face.
2
Corinthians 1:3-4 in the Message Bible says:
“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the
Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes
alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings
us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be
there for that person just as God was there for us.”
Immediately
after having breast cancer surgery on January 15, 2015 . . . the oncologist
(cancer doctor) told me I needed to take chemotherapy.
I asked
why.
That
wasn’t an unreasonable question because my lymph nodes were free of
cancer.
The
surgeon had sent the mass removed from my chest from an incision that measured
thirteen inches long, two inches wide and two and ½ inches deep to be analyzed
and the results were negative. . . no cancer was found.
I told
the oncologist I would have to pray about this decision.
As I
prayed the Lord brought 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 in the Message Bible to my
remembrance which says:
“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the
Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us
when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside
someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that
person just as God was there for us.”
I have
used that scripture on dozens and dozens of occasions to encourage people going
through the storms of life.
This
time the Lord used it to show me that the
decision to take chemo was not about me but about others . . . meaning the people He would put in my path
that I would encourage and pray for.
I’ve
been there for others nearly 30 times since my surgery. . . the latest being
two days ago.
This
lady had driven about 30 miles to position herself to hear what I had to say to
her though she had no idea that’s why she made the trip.
Her
heart was encouraged and her faith strengthened by our visit. God is incredibly
faithful.
Your
Heavenly Father is not only waiting to shield you from the storms. . . He’s
ever ready to empower and enlighten you to achieve your destiny.
And the
best part. . . He’s available 24/7.
Harold
& Bev Herring
Harold
Herring teaches scriptural strategies, and proven financial principles which
are responsible for saving thousands of people millions of dollars in interest
and debt. His seminaries, rallies and churches services offer a unique blend of
humorous but yet motivational teaching.
Harold
has a unique anointing to empower people to move outside of their comfort zone.
He encourages, exhorts and provokes believers to fulfill their divine destiny
as individuals endowed with the seeds of greatness and unlimited potential for
personal achievement and ministry.
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