I love storm chasing. My first few storms in Texas were totally amazing. I had never seen wide spread lightening that streaks across the black sky like fingers on a hand. I had never seen 60mph straight -line winds that bent the trees down as if they were giving way and allowing passage. The thunder almost seemed as if bombs were exploding.  The thing about storms in Texas is that they can come up suddenly without warning.  I think of my own life and how that can happen as well.

The industry I work in has building codes for areas that have a history of strong storms. For example, when I worked on a project in the Bahamas we used steel reinforced doors and beefier hardware. The code called out what would sustain hurricane force winds to help protect life and safety of the people in the hotel. It costs a bit more to do the job but the end result was minimal loss of life and minimal damage in most cases. The extra cost was worth it.

What kind of people do we really want to be? What sort of legacy do we want to leave? Where do we draw the line in the sand and choose to be different? How are we weathering the temporal storms of life?

I am watching some tremendous life storms right now in myself and in other people. I have been here before and I have found GOD faithful and true. There’s nothing to fear because I know GOD is with me and will sustain me. I hope for the body of Christ to be the body and engage in strength I don’t have right now. If they don’t I will still be fine because GOD is my portion and keeper of my heart.

Storms today, although not welcomed are inevitable. God loves us enough to allow them for a reason. My question is are you prepared for the storm? Have you spent time reinforcing your life with things that will protect you from the strong winds?

It will cost you something to be committed to the life of Christ in you. People or events will happen that create storms in your life.  You can’t ignore the things in your own life that bring on some of these storms. Fear, doubt, insecurity and negative tapes of the past will never leave you unless you replace them with truth. The best thing you can do for yourself and for the kingdom is seek the Word of God for answers. That is the best way to minimize the storm’s damage and to get through it. It will cost you time and be worth the investment.

Prov 16:20
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he

Too many times we are spiritually anemic and try to face life’s challenges in our own strength. We search for meaning and happiness in the temporal and really can only find joy in the eternal.  If we search for truth we will do more for ourselves than happiness ever could do for us. Other times we get so focused on what we don’t have that we miss what we do have right before us.

Prov 29:18
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

I used to be that way. It’s called awfulizing. (my own word)  Using your lack as a mirror for your life leaves you always looking for what you lack instead of strengthening what you have already. We create a GOD in our minds by faulty thinking who is weak and uncaring when we do that.  It’s a cycle of always trying to find the magic combination or ingredients to a recipe that pleases God and creates  a “happy” life.  Dear one what I love about this whole process is that GOD is more concerned about your character than your comfort. Comfort only last while needed. If we develop character, it will help us in all storms. He’s more concerned about your being happy with what HE’s done (his glory). Now GOD cares about your weaknesses and your pain. I am not saying HE doesn’t. What I am saying is that his purpose of molding you into his likeness is his delight. We were born so far from the mark and in such a fallen state HE has to complete the good work he started in us. We can’t complete it.

Heb 13:5
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee

HE wants you to have HIS joy not this earthly emotion that comes and goes with feelings. You will never “feel” your way to heaven. My world is getting smaller by the day and I am in a storm. Yet my feet are planted solid on a rock that is higher than I am that weathered a cross and a grave. I can fail, I can be overtaken by the waves, I can totally go under but I can not be shaken or moved unless JESUS can be moved. Christ in me is my strength and joy and blessed hope.

Here’s the bottom line. The Holy Spirit in you wants to lead you to all truth.  The Holy Spirit living in me knows what real joy is and how to help me partake of all that God has planned for me. Don’t give way to the flesh and old way of thinking. Be renewed in your mind and sanctified with truth.

Phil 4:11-13
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me