A Faith-filled perspective in the storm
We all go through the storms of life, when the failures of the past haunt us, when the present circumstances are discouraging, and/or when the future looks hazy and uncertain.
During these storms, that threatens to capsize our boat called “life”, we have a choice to make: Linger in fear or stay in Faith.
- While Fear looks at the circumstances, Faith looks at the omnipotent God, who is right inside the boat! (He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world – I John 4:4).
- While fear cripples us, Faith enables us to draw strength from God (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me – Philippians 4:13).
- While fear focuses on worldly statistics, faith shows us the miracles God has done in the past (Thus far the Lord has helped us – I Samuel 7: 12).
- While fear believes the bad reports, Faith believes in the Word of our God, that stands forever (Isaiah 40:8)
- While fear anticipates the worst, Faith makes us trust in God’s goodness and mercy. (Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; - Psalm 23:6)
- While fear magnifies our weakness, Faith magnifies the unmerited grace from God, that has the potential to raise the poor from the dust and lift the beggar from the ash heap (I Samuel 2:8)
Looking back at past struggles and God-given victories…
"Why does God allow me to go through these valleys of sufferings, if He loves me?" is a question that that we cannot attempt to answer completely, because of our intellectual limitation to understand an infinite God. But looking back at past struggles, we can all testify that if not for those tough times, we couldn’t have gotten closer to God, couldn’t have tasted the sweet intimacy with our Savior that mitigates every pain, wouldn’t have learnt to trust in the unfailing love of the Father, wouldn’t have known the power of the Word of God and the comfort of God’s Healing presence through His Holy Spirit.
Through every trial, through every season, God through the Holy Spirit, molds us into the image of Jesus, teaching us wonderful truths about Himself and reveals to us His Holy ways and His beautiful Heart. He also
"Why does God allow me to go through these valleys of sufferings, if He loves me?" is a question that that we cannot attempt to answer completely, because of our intellectual limitation to understand an infinite God. But looking back at past struggles, we can all testify that if not for those tough times, we couldn’t have gotten closer to God, couldn’t have tasted the sweet intimacy with our Savior that mitigates every pain, wouldn’t have learnt to trust in the unfailing love of the Father, wouldn’t have known the power of the Word of God and the comfort of God’s Healing presence through His Holy Spirit.
Through every trial, through every season, God through the Holy Spirit, molds us into the image of Jesus, teaching us wonderful truths about Himself and reveals to us His Holy ways and His beautiful Heart. He also
- refines us through the fire (Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. – Isaiah 48: 10)
- strengthens us through the tough times (But may the God of all grace, who called usto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. – I Peter 5:10)
- deepens our root in Him (Colossians 2:7 - ..rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving)
- trains us to fight a good fight for the Kingdom of God (Psalm 144: 1 - Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle)
- comforts us, so we can comfort others (Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. – 2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
What more do we need than this beautiful promise that God gives to each of us:
Isaiah 43: 2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Am reminded of this beautiful song by Andrae Crouch:
I’ve had many tears and sorrows,
I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
there’s been times I didn’t know right from wrong.
But in every situation,
God gave me blessed consolation,
that my trials come to only make me strong.
I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
there’s been times I didn’t know right from wrong.
But in every situation,
God gave me blessed consolation,
that my trials come to only make me strong.
Through it all, through it all,
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,
I’ve learned to trust in God.
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,
I’ve learned to trust in God.
Through it all, through it all,
I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.
I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.
I’ve been to lots of places,
I’ve seen a lot of faces,
there’s been times I felt so all alone.
But in my lonely hours,
yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus lets me know that I was His own
I’ve seen a lot of faces,
there’s been times I felt so all alone.
But in my lonely hours,
yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus lets me know that I was His own
I thank God for the mountains,
and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I’d never had a problem,
I wouldn’t know God could solve them,
I’d never know what faith in God could do.
and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I’d never had a problem,
I wouldn’t know God could solve them,
I’d never know what faith in God could do.
