John 16:33, “In this life you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” 

Figuratively speaking, no one raises their hand and says, “Pick me!  I want to go through a storm.”  Why would they?  Trials and storms are HARD.  They often challenge and try us beyond what we think we can endure.

Jesus warned His closest friends, “In this life you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” 

In other words, ‘It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when – you will have trouble while living on this earth.  Life is not going to be easy just because you belong to Me.   But be encouraged, dear one.  I’m bigger.  I’m stronger and I’m more powerful than any trial, storm or adversity you may face.’

In a sin-ridden world and a world where the Creator gives free will to man, trials are inevitable.  Sometimes storms come as a consequence of bad decisions.  Other times, they just happen.

Several years ago, I started labeling my storms.  They were either:

• rain showers
• thunderstorms
• hurricanes

Or God forbid, the mother of all storms:  the tsunami.  The tsunami changes the topography of our lives.  Our lives are never the same following a tsunami.

I’ve experienced all four.  Never, would I have volunteered for ANY of these storms.  But following the storm, I’m different.  I’ve seen God take hard, painful, dark things… Things I thought would crush me.  And bring good.  It’s always after the storm that I’m able to see the good.  (Rarely do I see it in the storm.)  But God promises to those who love Him, that HE WILL work all things for good.

So the good I’ve seen following a trial is:

1. A Perspective shift – I see life from an entirely different perspective following a storm.  God tells us to not get too comfortable here.  We are citizens of a different kingdom.  (Phil 3:20; 1 Peter 2:11)
2. Stronger – I’m much stronger.  Small issues and small thunderstorms do not ruffle my feathers as they once did.
3. More assertive – Instead of running from issues or wishing they didn’t exist, I tend to face them head-on now.
4. Molded and shaped – The very thing I’m often asking God to remove is the very thing that is molding and shaping my character.  It’s growing my faith and stretching WHO I believe He is and what I believe He can do.  Storms humble me.  They make more dependent on Him.
5. Faith Increases – When I see God do what only He can do in the midst of my storms, I have greater confidence when facing other storms.
6. Comfort – I’ve been able to comfort others with the comfort He’s given to me.
7. Witness – I’m able to witness to a hurting world the reality of God in the midst of a hard place. Often people I don’t even know are watching.

So if you’re going through a storm, be encouraged.  Our God is bigger.  Our God is stronger and is more powerful than any trial, storm or adversity you may face.  And if you love Him, He will bring good from it.

NEXT POST:  Good from a Storm… Really?

A FAVORITE

Recently during a stormy season,  whenever I worked out, I played this song OVER, and OVER and OVER again.  Such words of truth.  Be encouraged!  Mandisa’s, Stronger

Mother/Daughter Retreat – September 23-24th / Early Bird Ends September 2nd

Have you signed up yet?  My sister, Heather Rumley and I will be two of the three speakers. (Lindsey Wingo is the third!)

The whole retreat is about Choices.  Everyday, our girls are faced with choices.  Choices to fit-in.  Choices to be accepted.  We’ll talk about those choices and give them the tools to make the right choices!  Early Bird Registration ends: September 2nd