This year we’ve experienced an outbreak of severe storms like never before. On the first day of summer some areas of Colorado received more than two feet of snow. A storm can be defined as a violent upheaval of nature. Trouble is usually associated with a storm. In Matthew 14:22-33 we find the disciples swept up in stormy situation.
As Christians, we are not exempt from trouble. Like it or not, storms are a part of our Christian walk. Storms expose you to things you normally wouldn’t choose to experience. When a storm blows into our lives our tendency is to seek shelter. But God is in the habit dismantling our self-erected storm shelters and exposing us to things we’d prefer to avoid.
Time and experience have taught me that God has a purpose for each storm that enters my life. I don’t know about you, but storms challenge my faith in God, particularly those of great intensity and/or extended duration. Storms expose my weaknesses, inadequacies and fears.
In her book “A Return to Love,” author Marianne Williamson says, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God…As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
People have all kinds of fears such as the dark, bugs, heights or confined spaces. But for some, the fear of success causes them to self-sabotage opportunities God sends their way. Ever notice how God exposes you to the very things you fear? God not only uses adverse circumstances to demonstrate His power, He also uses them to help us realize we can accomplish what we don’t think we’re capable of. You don’t know how strong you are until you go through something.
A while ago I had surgery on my left arm, I had to do something called scar desensitization therapy where I was instructed to rub various rough textures over my incision. At first, it caused more discomfort than my clothes rubbing against the wound. The process caused the scar to become less sensitive over time and the pain eventually subsided.
I’ve learned that God weaves aggravating circumstances that rub us the wrong way into the fabric of our Christian walk to build our faith and promote spiritual growth and maturity. You must be exposed to the enemy to know that no weapon formed against you will prosper. God allows you to be exposed to sickness to realize He’s a healer. You must be exposed to a need for Him to demonstrate He’s your provider. God exposes you to things that elicit fears for you to overcome them and prove to you, others and the enemy just how powerful you are.
Obedience during the process aligns you with God’s will and power. You can’t walk in promise if you remain in your comfort zone. As my pastor says, “there is no growth in the comfort zone; and there is no comfort in the growth zone.” God uses trouble as a catalyst for growth. While God allows you to be exposed, rest assured He won’t abandon you in the process.
God is purpose driven. He does everything with purpose in mind. You have been created for purpose and destiny. The power of God’s purpose for your life is that it overcomes anything opposed to His purposes. While storms can be destructive from our point of view; they are productive from God’s viewpoint. So, the actual question isn’t, “What if my storm is on purpose?” Rather, the appropriate question to ask is, “What is the purpose for my storm?”
In my next post, we’ll take an in-depth look at God’s purposes for our storms. Until next time…Be blessed!
Rev. Cynthia Jackson
Rhema Inspirations
Rev. Cynthia Jackson is the administrator of the Rhema4U Blog and Innovations Ministries Director. Rev. Jackson is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was licensed and ordained under the tutelage of Bishop David G. Evans. She is an associate minister at Bethany Baptist Church located in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Rev. Jackson founded Innovations Ministries in 2001. Innovations Ministries provides dynamic and innovative programs and services for individuals and families dealing with various health-related issues. She is a gifted teacher, preacher, conference speaker and writer. God has anointed Rev. Jackson to be a spiritual midwife with a passion to empower others to birth God's vision for their lives. Rev. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Eastern University, a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University and a Master of Science Degree in Christian Counseling from Cairn University.
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