Crushing the Storms

Hello there!  I’ve been through a lot in my adult life!  Who hasn’t?  Some of you have dealt with less hardships than others, but nevertheless we have all had our adversities.  During those struggles, sometimes they are simply tests and other times they are attacks from the enemy, regardless they are meant to strengthen you in various ways.  So, I found myself asking the question, how do we know the difference between a test from God, and an attack from the enemy?

Well, nothing in life may happen to you without God permitting it to happen.  That is not to be mistaken to believe that God is causing the struggles to happen.  We have to take accountability for the way we live our lives.  Remember the book of Job when you are not certain.  Job certainly went through tremendous calamity and lost absolutely everything!  From livestock, to family, to land, his home, and the companionship of others, he LOST. IT. ALL.

Too often we either lose faith in the Lord or question Him when such storms impact our lives.  But remember that 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says that we are to Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Furthermore, ask yourself, and be honest, about where you stand with your faith in the Lord.  Although “life happens” and it seems that the enemy is attacking many aspects of your life, reflect on Romans 8:28 - “And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Did things start to fall apart for you when you started to foster a personal relationship with Christ?  After you got baptized and started fellowshipping with like-minded people more often?  Did things start to seemingly fall apart for you when you were beginning to follow in God’s plan for your life? Well we have something in common…That’s exactly what happened to me, and I almost quit!  And I’ve been finding out that this tends to be a rather common experience in the life of those who move in God’s direction for their life.  It almost seems to be like some sort of loyalty test, but it only lasts for a season.  And once you’ve gotten through it once, you already know to brace yourself as God is leading you to step into the next level of anointing He has for you in your life.  But when you look to God to get you through, YOU. WILL. GET. THROUGH!

Don’t fret fam.  Look to God will all your faithfulness and know that He will come through for you!  For the Lord will neither leave you nor forsake you.  Once Job got out of his own way, surrendered to the will of God, and pushed his pride aside (for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble – James 4:6), God restored all his lost possessions (which he allowed the enemy to destroy) 10-fold!!

I have even noticed in my own, recent, and personal past, that as I have surrendered and let go of one thing(s) I had been holding onto in my life, God has continued to bless me with something greater.  This is the magnificence of God when you keep the faith and tune into the discernment of the Holy Spirit on your soul.  Remember, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. - Hebrews 11:1-2”  God is just enlarging your good testimony.  You may not see it now, but through keeping the faith, you will.  My testimony is growing bigger and bigger each day, and I hope to be able to share it with the world one day.

If you are going through a difficult time right now, stay strong in the Lord, and read through scriptures that apply directly to the emotions you are feeling through this tough time.  The Lord is our comforter, and provider, and reading through scripture that directly links to whatever emotions I’m dealing with literally takes all the hurt the away.  It just simply fades away in God’s love and peace.  Whatever you are going through, this too shall pass!  Continue following in the footsteps the Lord has paved out for you through your faith, and you will come out on the other side, stronger than when you began going through the storm.  The Lord has allowed a time such as this in order to grow your strength, faithfulness, and relationship with Him.  Don’t give up, you are almost there!  In what ways have you kept your faith strong in the Lord?

‘Til Monday Be Real.