5 WAYS
Your Storms Can Make You
Stronger
By Jack Graham
Life doesn’t always work out the way you expect it to, does it? You can be walking
along singing “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” and then – Bam! Out of nowhere, you find
yourself in the middle of a trial, a test, or a storm. And when that happens, it’s easy
to think, Why am I going through this, God? Why aren’t You working?
W
ell, the truth is God is working when your storms
hit. Remember what Romans 8:28 says? “And we
know that for those who love God all things work
together for good, for those who are called according to his
purpose” (emphasis mine).
You see, God is good and gracious and present no matter
what you’re going through. There’s never been a time in your life
as a believer that you haven’t been loved by a heavenly Father
who daily walks with you and lives in you through His Spirit.
And while you and I both know that trials can be very real and
raw, they also can make you stronger in five ways…
1.
Your storms can help you be steadfast. When there’s pain or
a problem, we want out as fast as possible. But James tells us
in James 1:3 that “the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
We learn patient endurance under pressure. God wants to build
our “faith muscle” so we don’t get crushed by a crisis.
2.
Your storms can help you mature. As we persevere in a
storm, God is perfecting us. As James says, “Let steadfastness
have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking
in nothing” (1:4). What’s the goal during a storm? To grow more
like Christ. God wants His kids to grow and mature!
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3.
Your storms can give you a new perspective. We don’t
always know why trials hit, but they can help us see life
more clearly and from God’s perspective. We need wisdom to
get through trials, so James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom…
ask God, who gives generously…” (1:5).
4.
Your storms can help you learn humility. Trials can
bring us to our knees before God. And in that humbling
moment, we come to know God like we’ve never known Him
before – as the Lord of our life and the Lord of all.
5.
Your storms can help you gain new vitality. Pain
produces spiritual power for ministry. The people I
respect the most are those who’ve been through the deepest
struggles, yet emerged stronger and better. Our tests can
become our testimony, and our mess can be our message if we
let God strengthen and sustain us.
God rarely uses anybody in a great way who hasn’t been
broken. So if you’re going through a storm today, remember:
God is at work in your life. He loves you. He wants the best
for you. Thank Him that He loves you enough to prepare you
for something better and greater in your life than you ever
thought possible.
#occhristianspring2017
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