Whether wittingly or unwittingly, nobody is exempt from the Storm of Life, the Bible asserts that rainfall on the righteous and the unrighteous. We all will encounter some sort of storm of some kind of another, while we live on planet earth. Either spiritually or physically, we will encounter the storms of life. And some storms depends on what region of the country you live in of the United States you may experience more than others. Many people who live on the east coast, will experience the fury of the thunderstorm and hurricane especially the snowstorm of the northeastern. Notwithstanding, I would like to digress from the physical and really focus is what Jesus spoke on the sermon on the mount that a wise man is who adhere and do His sayings is a wise man who built his house upon a rock or the foundation upon the Word of God. When the rain and the flood and the wind slammed against your House, it will able to withstand the storm, because it was built upon a rock (Matthew 7:24-25). I guess the sixty-four thousand dollar question is, what are some of His sayings? The Sermon on the mount encompasses (Matthew chapters 5-7). Consequently, what I really want to concentrate on is Matthew 5:43 that says: you’ve heard, love your neighbor but I say love your enemies. Pray for them that despitefully use you. These sayings are hard on the flesh, whether you’ve been a Christian for five or twenty five years in the faith it’s no less undaunted.
To truly grow as a Christian, God will allow us to experience certain turmoils and adversities which is part of the maturation process to help us grow in character, emotionally as well as in wisdom. Similar to what the baby eagles goes through when the mother eagle force them out of the nest, and cause them to fly on their own. As I mention above spiritually or physically you will encounter some kind of storms. As Christians we all have an adversary who would want nothing more to try to annihilate us. But for nothing else simply because we are created in the similitude of the image of Christ. And the adversary (disguised) himself, which he uses humanity, whether people on your jobs, your family members, your fellow pupils at school or in the community to cause conflict, hatred and bigotry among our fellowman. Unfortunately, sometimes unbeknownst to us, we fall for the tactics of the enemy (Ephesians 6:12). Part of the devil impetus and the tactics is to kill steal and destroy, which the Bible also says: the devil goes about like a roar lion seeking whom he may devour. You don’t have go looking for trouble for the devil to target you because he’s out there looking for vulnerable and susceptible Christians to victimize (1 Peter 5:8).
As I alluded above, storms are pervasive, obviously we all detested problems I’m no exception. Personally speaking, right now I’m facing some financial storms in this season of my life. Furthermore, I thought I was experiencing more than my share of trials and tribulations at this juncture of my life. However, as I retreated, and took a step back for a moment in prayer and fasting I was able to discern the scheme of the enemy for what it really was. Through God and His sovereignty and through my prayer and fasting the Lord enamored me to withstand the fury of darkness (Matthew 16:18). The preceding verse of Scripture always helps me see things from the right perspective. Thanks are to God which always cause me to triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14)Whatever storm that you’re currently experiencing, don’t see it as to why me. But see it as, what purpose God has in mind, why He allows the problem in the first place. You don’t have to be a Bible Scholar to know why God allow you to go through a particular trial; you can surmise he allowed it for spiritual maturity. It said by John Hagee “that adversity is God’s University”. This may be a Cliche: But the fact remains God is always looking out for our best interest even what it [appears] to be in the face of defeat. Though you might not perceive God in the midst of the storm. He says when thou passes through the waters I will be with you…And when thou walkest through the fire thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God…(Isaiah 43:1-3).
Some storms God allow, similar to Job, or Abraham, the trials that they experience were not to test them per se. Rather it is a proverbial storm that they experienced God was Bragging on them because they reached a certain level of maturity in God that’s why they were prototype as members of the cloud of witnesses. Take Job for instance: the Bible said Job was perfect and upright man and one that fear God Eschew evil. That’s why God said to Satan, have you consider my servant Job? God truly knew the End from the Beginning, that Job would prevailed, against the accuser of the brethren. Even though Job was confounded, why he was swept up in a whirlwind of a storm, which was monumental, because he lost everything. Job didn’t understand in the midst of the complexity or why the fury of hell descended upon him. Job had more questions than he had answers, even his friends were mystify by Job’s predicament. Notwithstanding. Despite Satan throw everything at Job, including the kitchen sink, however, Job didn’t sin like his foolish wife who advise him to curse God and die. Conversely, Job had enough sense and faith in God, that there had to be a silver lining in the dark storm clouds that hoover above him.
Finally, why Job and myself were able to withstand our respectable spiritually storm that we encounter? Whether from God or the adversary, regardless of the source, I’m emphatically believe because our foundation was build upon a rock, or on the Word of God. Consequently, Word of God being our standard bearer that empowered us and cause us to unmovable Like the Proverbial the Rock of Gibraltar that our house will stand regardless, come hell or high water.
