Lately it seems we have had our fair share of storms in our lives hasn't it. In Alabama, we had a record number of tornadoes on April 27th that destroyed businesses, houses, churches, and most notably, took people's lives. Now, we are seeing a replay of this bad memory in Joplin, Missouri. The sifting through debris, the cries, the blank stares as people walk around....are all too eerily familiar. They wonder why this happened? Why didn't God protect them? Why me? Why, Why, Why?
Similar questions are asked by the 34 year old father of 3 young children after he finds out that he has stomach cancer. The whirlwind of cancer is a totally different storm, but the questions are the same. Why, Why, Why?
Only one knows the answers to these questions. However, James chapter 1 gives us some guidance on how we should react during these storms...... "2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
The fact that you are still here tells you that God isn't finished with you yet. He's just working on you. He's preparing you for HIS work. We all have a purpose in this life. That purpose just might be showing others how CALM you can be during your life's STORM. That purpose just might be helping someone get through their STORM in life because you've been through a similar STORM in your own life.
Storms come and go, but God is constant. His ways are higher than our ways. He sees and knows the future and just as we tell our kids..."this is for your own good," the same holds true for us. Even though it pains Him to see us suffer, He knows that he can use this storm for HIS good in the future.
No matter what type of storm you have endured in life, take shelter in God. Read His words, pray to Him, and look for ways to glorify Him no matter your storm in life. He will keep you safe til the storm passes by!
