Thrive Through the Storm | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Thrive Through the Storm | Previous Challenge Entry
By Naomi Fata
10/12/17
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I scanned Facebook in search of news from a friend who lived in the path of Hurricane Irene. For days, she had been posting pictures of her preparation. She had organized plastic storage bins on her kitchen counter with supplies for each of her four children. Everything of necessity in case of emergency was gathered into one central location. Now the storm was fully upon them and I wanted to know how the family was holding up. I knew that she was trying to conserve power on her phone just in case they did lose electricity. But still I scanned hoping for a bit of news.
There it was. A new post from only an hour ago. It said that all the children had camped out in the hallway for the evening, with pillows and sleeping bags. Each young eye was tightly closed, sleeping peacefully while the storm raged around them. But my dear mama friend was too anxious to sleep. The crashing of the wind and branches around the house brought terror to her heart with every crack.
My heart was heavy for her but I closed the app and went to bed. They were safe for now and there was nothing else I could do except to pray.
Throughout our lives we experience storms both in the physical world around us in the form of rain, wind, snow, ice, and hail. But also in the spiritual sense in the form of negative thoughts, unpleasant circumstances, sickness, relational struggles and heart break.
As an idealist I would love to avoid storms altogether and instead cruise through life rejoicing in the blessings of God. But God doesn’t promise us a storm free life. Instead Jesus says in John 16:33 that in this world we will have trouble, but to take heart because He has overcome the world.
Just like the things my friend did things to help her through the hurricane there are three things that can help you with the storms of life.
1. Be prepared for storms.
Just like my friend in Florida during Hurricane Irene prepared emergency supplies before the storm hit you must be ready for the storms the will come into your own life. Don’t be surprised by the troubles that you face. Instead be ready ahead of time. Have a plan of action. That plan of action might include setting boundaries in relationships, having a savings account, or learning how to handle anxiety.
2. Take refuge during the storm.
It isn’t wise to stand outside when the winds are blowing 140 miles an hour. Instead you are given the advice to go the center of your house, to a place with no outside walls and windows or to a basement. This is a place of safety. The Psalmist eloquently writes “God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
God is your place of safety. He covers you and hides you. Your physical body needs safety but from a spiritual standpoint your heart needs safety. The storms of life threaten to destroy courage, to cause pain, to tear down faith. Though the world around you may be thrashed around by the circumstances and the trials you can chose to entrust your heart to God, for His protection. The best way to do this is by praying on the spiritual armor of Ephesians 6.
3. Have confidence in God’s promise during the storm.
Every time a rain storm comes the promise of a rainbow appears in the sky to remind you that God will never again destroy the earth with a flood. This gives hope when the hurricanes come. Even though there might be a great deal of devastation left in its wake you know that God is not destroying the earth.
While you are in the middle of a spiritual storm it may be difficult to remember that there is life after the storm. God has a plan for you after the storm has past. In Jeremiah 29:11 God says, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plan to give you hope and a future.”
This is a promise to cling to. It will enable you to thrive in the storm, not just survive.
When the storms come don’t be taken by surprise. Put your heart in a place of safety and have confidence because God has something planned for you on the other side of the storm.

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