Welcome back. Hopefully you’ve had a little break from the storms of your life this week, but maybe not. No matter where you are, I have really good news for you. Storms don’t last forever!
One of my favorite verses is Psalm 23:4: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you are with me.” No matter how dark the storm is, no matter how thick and heavy the clouds are, He will never leave or forsake you. God is with you and will never allow you to go through a storm alone. Even if it looks like he is not there, HE IS!
You are meant to live a life that brings glory to God and freedom to others. You are meant to live a beautiful and joyful life. So, how do you get there after a storm?
Remind yourself that storms don’t last. Tell yourself that you will get through this, and you will thrive. There is always calm after the storm.
Know the Word of God. Many people don’t know the Word of God; they don’t know who He is and what He says about them. His Word is full of promises of abundant life. His Word is full of promises that He will take care of His children. Get into the Word, and rest on God’s promises! Why should we worry, when we know He works everything together for our good?
Learn to hear His voice. Pray. Meditate biblically. Get yourself into the habit of asking God questions and then waiting for His answers. He loves to talk to His children, telling them how much He loves them.
Know your gifts. After a storm, it can be difficult to remember our true identity, to remember who we are and why God created us. Learning who you are and what you are here for will help you stay rooted and grounded as you go through the storms in your life. Your pain does not define who you are! Your trauma does not define who you are!
Walk in Purpose. Just knowing your gifts is only the beginning. It’s like having $100 and burying it underground; that’s not what it is for! Live your life, live your days by stepping into the purpose and calling God has for you.
Do things God’s way. Sometimes when we’ve been through difficult storms, we want to silence God’s voice and do things our own way. “You didn’t protect me, God! Why should I do things Your way?” But remembering His Word, that He never leaves us or forsakes us, reminds us that His way will always be the best for our lives. I don’t know about you, but my way never works out very well.
Give God glory and praise for the storms He’s rescued you from. In the middle of a storm, remind yourself of all the goodness God has worked in your life in the past. Remind yourself of the storms you’ve survived, for the ways that you’ve thrived, and then give Him glory and praise for His faithfulness!
Heal from past pain. My friend Bob puts it this way: “Hurt people, hurt people.” In other words, the pain and trauma from your storms will bleed out and bring wounding and pain to those around you. Get counseling. Seek ministry that will help you heal, that will speak God’s truth to that trauma.
You have to arise. Stand up. Remember that God wills everything to work together for our good. My mother was 16 years old when she had me; she tried to abort me two times. But I survived because God has a glorious plan and purpose for my life. My story and its storms give me the ability to minister to others and help them heal from their trauma and pain. I can accept the things in my life because I know the enemy tried to stop me from speaking, tried to stop me from living out the purposes God has for me. If the enemy thought my purpose was that important, how much more does God have planned?
Storms will always come in our lives. They will rage and blow and try to take us down. But God has promised us that He will always be with us, and that His will for us is goodness and joy. The world is depending on us, fully walking in that truth.
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