THE REASONS FOR STORMS IN OUR LIVES
Reading Text: Proverbs 6:23, Romans 8:28-29
INTRODUCTION
As stated in our previous teaching series, no one is exempt for the storms of life. Trials, tragedies, and misfortunes will come to the righteous as well as the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45), the wise as well as the foolish (Matthew 7:24-27), the committed as well as the uncommitted (Luke 6:46-48). Therefore, we must learn how to rightly handle our storms.
Some common questions that we all ask are:
• What are the reasons for storms coming against us?
• Why does God allow trials, tragedies, and misfortunes to come our way?
In answering these questions for myself, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are three main reasons why God sends storms our way:
1 Storms Help To Expose The Heart
The first reason for storms is that storms help to bring to the surface the real person. Circumstances that are hard and difficult will bring out the best and worst in people. When the terrorist attack happened to our nation on 9/11, we saw this timeless truth acted out right before our very eyes. Some of the greatest acts of heroism were demonstrated by New York’s Fire workers and Police force. It is not when everything is going right, but, rather, when everything seems to go wrong that the real person on inside rises to the surface. Trials, tragedies, and misfortunes have a way of exposing the true heart of a person.
Proverbs 6:23, in the New King James Version, tell us, “Reproofs of instruction are the way of life”. The American Standard Version reads, “And reproofs for discipline are the way of life”. And the New International Version says, “ And the corrections of discipline leads to life”.
To reprove means, “to expose, to surface, to correct”. Yes, the LORD uses the circumstances in life to expose, to bring to the surface the things in our hearts, with the intent to correct us and to bring us back on track.
How do you respond when things go wrong? Do you establish a strong testimony for Christ or do you allow the enemy to steal your opportunity to glorify Christ in the midst of your storm?
2 Storms Help To Open The Heart
The second reason is that storms help to open the heart of man to God.
In the past few decades, there were some huge storms that hit our nation of which were Hurricane Pamela, and Hurricane Katrina, to name a few... (and, yes, not to bias about gender, there was big bad Hurricane Andrew, too). Here in the islands, we have had our share of storms as well. There was Hurricane Iwa, and Hurricane Iniki.
One of the key spiritual points we can learn from storms is that, it is in the midst of difficulties and hard times, that hearts become open to the LORD. (The reason for this is that people will quickly realize in the midst of a huge, gigantic storm, how small and powerless they really are!)
Have you ever been in a big storm where the winds and the rain were so intense it knocked out the power in your area and left everyone in the dark? When that happens we quickly realize how dependent we are on electricity and now, suddenly, in a quick moment, how little we are and how powerless we’ve become. The truth speaks on this wise, the bigger the storm the smaller and powerless we feel. Storms are good in that they help us to see who really holds the power and who really is in charge. Storms helps us to see how big and powerful God is, and how little and powerless we are. Most people think to high of themselves and to little of God.
Pharoah had this problem. He thought he had the power and he was the one in charge, that is, until God shook his kingdom up with the ten plagues. (Exodus 7-13)
Nebuchadnezzar, had the same problem. He thought he was so high and mighty... until God took away his reason and sanity. His personal life, his wealth as well as his health, was shaken for seven years. Nebuchadnezzer was able to regain himself, but only after he humbled himself before the God of heaven and repented of his sin of pride. (Daniel 4)
King Herod, also, had this problem of thinking to highly of himself and to lowly of God. (He was, simply stating, someone who is full of self!). He knew that Jesus was the greater king and that meant he needed to humble himself by getting off his throne and allowing Jesus to now rule in him. He knew what he needed to do, but sadly, he simply chose not to do it. (Matthew 2)
When we refuse to surrender to the LORD, we end up plagued, in darkness, unable to think straight, unable to rightly reason; and in a true sense we become men and women unfulfilled and most miserable.
Two great promises for every believer are found in Psalm 46:1-2, which tells us, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea:"
What great securing words of promise to us!
Listen to those verses again, "God being our refuge and strength..."
1) He promise to shelter and protect us!
"A very present help..."
2) He promises to be right there for us no matter what we may face.
Two great promises that couldn’t be said any better, Praise GOD!
3 Storms Help To Improve The Heart
The third reason is that storms help to improve our heart. They help us to grow. The apostle Paul specifically tells us in I Thessalonians 3:3, that our afflictions are God appointed. That means God specially designs our trials to the right specifications with the intent of reaching our hearts!
I remember when I was growing up and entering the adolescence years of my life when the word fad became important. This time in history, as far as fads were concerned, was a time when long hair, Madra dress shirts, long cuffed drape pants, and Beatle boots were in. My problem was not the long hair, the long cuffed drape pants, but it was the Madra dress shirts. The neck and chess size fitted okay but somehow the sleeves were always to long. That was an adolescence trial of being able to fit the trendy styles of that generation.
The big deal used to be, what brand label is your shirt and what store did you buy it from. My shirts had no label and there was no store that it was brought from... because my wonderful loving mother custom made all my shirts. Thank God, for my mother! All my shirts would be always the right size, specially made, fit to order. Not to long, not to short, but always just right!
Like in life, God send us the right storm to fit our growth and development. Each storm fit to order and specifically designed by God to help grow.
How has your life been to this point in time?
- In your life’s journey so far, has there been any real hardships or difficulties?
(Yes, no, or maybe so?)
- Have you faced things that outwardly you considered as big, bad and ugly?
(Then you’ve been through a storm.)
- Have you experienced things that have come against you, against your marriage, against your children?
(That’s a storm also!)
- Have you faced difficulties in areas relating to your work or business?
– How about in the areas of your finances, friendships, or perhaps your health?
These things are what we call storms.
Are you seeing these difficulties and hardships from God’s perspective?
Is the LORD using this storm that you are in, to open your heart, surface your heart or to improve your heart in helping you to grow?
Romans 8:28-29 tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
For whom He did foreknow, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."
CHALLENGE
In your storm, what is surfacing in your heart?
Are we allowing your storm to open and improve your heart, to better you, to shape you and to make you to become more like Jesus?
Let us pray...
