Facing the Storms of Life

I am reposting part of a blog from just over a year ago as we now watch the catastrophic flooding in the South.  The massive loss of lives and property is heart breaking.  But sometimes it can be hard to identify with such extensive damage when your home is safe and sound but you are struggling with a different set of circumstances.

Different Types of Storms

America is a vast country with many variables in weather from blizzards to sandstorms.  Just that thought alone is amazing. Contractors know that a solid foundation can make all the difference in the strength of a building.  Tall city buildings as well as coastal homes are built upon deep pilings that reach down into bedrock for stability.

The problems you are wrestling with today may not be as catastrophic as a flood but are very real whether emotional, financial, physical, relational or spiritual and can cause damage to our very soul.  Whether we can withstand these challenges depends on our foundation of faith.  What you hold most dear is displayed by what your life is built upon.  Jesus told a parable about smart building.

Matthew 7:24–27 (MSG)
“These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach.When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”

 

Preparation and Hope For The Storm

When you live in a flood plain or receive a high wind report you take precautions We  “batton down the hatches” so to speak.  People in New England go to extremes to get the milk and bread when there is a blizzard warning. Preparation for a storm starts well before it actually comes.  That is why we have health and home insurance or items like flashlights, extra gas tanks and storm windows. While we can never predict the severity of unfortunate circumstances we can prepare our hearts for a proper response.  Spending time in God’s word gives us the spiritual footings we need when a crisis hits.  The psalmist wrote about his confidence in God.

Psalm 23:4   (ESV)  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 46:1–3   God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,  though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 

Our Response to the Storm

The book of Habakkuk takes the form of dialogues between God and the prophet. Habakkuk presents his questions to God, and God responds. Habakkuk questions why it appears that wickedness goes unpunished….”why do bad things happen to good people?” we might ask. God calls on the prophet to be patient and to trust that he has a plan. The book ends with a prayer expressing praise for God.

Habakkuk 3:17–18   Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,  yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

The news reporters warn us to “turn around, don’t drown”.  Yet I was watching the news this morning half amused at the people trying to drive through a flooded street right around other cars that were already stuck.  The audacity to think that they are immune to the same problem of the car in front of them.

There is sometimes a false belief that if you are a good Christian then you won’t have any big problems in your life. That is simply not in scripture.  Jesus clearly told His disciples that they would face trouble of all kinds.

We have to hold on in faith and hope to a God Who is bigger than all our problems.  As Christians we are called too respond to others who are in crisis. We can pray and we can give assistance of food, time, money and even our presence can provide comfort and strength.  Most importantly let us share the gospel of hope and peace.