Every Storm (Runs out of Rain)! The storms of life are always right around the corner. Have you ever felt stuck out in the cold rain shivering from the cold, the sky is dark and gloomy, lightning shakes the ground under your feet. Your fearful and scared of the unknown of what will happen next? My spiritual storms that I encounter are just like this, like a little child I run into the arms of Jesus for refuge and strength, a shelter in my time of storm. Then He hovers over me as I find protection under the shadow of His wings I find comfort and peace.
It seems when I make it through one storm I’m heading right into another one. At times you will have the tendency to pity yourself and say why me. We must not go there for God would have us be strong and say Lord what are you trying to teach me,but alas we are human and weak in the flesh and will succumb to self pity, worries, fears, and doubt. This will always take the edge off of all storms that we face. One thing we need to remember about all storms that come into our lives it will run out of rain. Praise The Lord!!!
How encouraging to know that whatever your going through at this time let it run its course. When you have a clear understanding of the storms of life you will welcome every single one of them. Read what Paul said in
2 Corinthian 4: 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The benefits of the storms we face and endure we will reap in eternity. Paul is saying here we will reap a reward in heaven, hence “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” What helped Paul to keep moving forward in regards what happened to him is found in
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
We need to keep the eternal perspective at all times. The eternal perspective is keeping our eyes on Christ and what is to come in heaven. Correcting our focus on what really matters lessens the hardship we go through at the present. Paul kept forgetting his past forgetting what happens in the present keeping his eyes constantly looking forward always pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Our strength in our Intimacy With Christ is keeping the eternal perspective the storms will come, it will run its course and it will run out of rain, then the refreshing smell after the rain, the cleansing it brings rejuvenates our souls in Christ Jesus. Yea, though I walk through the shadows of death I will fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and staff comfort me Psalms 23:4
The storms of life will force us to our knees in utter helplessness as we throw ourselves at the feet of Jesus we will actually draw closer to him in body, soul and spirit. We will experience such an Intimacy With Christ in the midst of the storm that we can never experience it anywhere else. Throwing ourselves in total helpless surrender at the throne of God in our complete weakness through him we will become strong, then miracles will take place, promises answered and fulfilled, the word of God becomes more precious, our time of prayer more sweeter and the still small voice of God closer than ever before. The benefits of the storm far outweigh anything else in our lives.
2 Corinthians 12:7 NKJV And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Everyone who knows anything about the scriptures know what afflictions, the hardships, the physical beatings Paul went through and endured. Paul realized as those of us who go through hardships that we are more Intimate With Christ because of the storms then when we were before the storm ever came. The more storms, the more we endure, the closer Christ draws near and dear to out hearts. Paul understood this so well because of his thorn in the flesh that he says without regret such phrases as, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast, Therefore I take pleasure in, my infirmities, reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses” He clearly understood the great benefits in his life as Christ mold and shaped him into a more compassionate, caring, loving, and self-sacrificing image of himself. So when people looked at Paul they actually saw the image of Christ.
Hebrews 12:11 NKJV Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it
We are diamonds in the rough that are ugly and dark. We are held in the master craftsmen hands where he takes with careful precision His hammer and chisel to knock off through storms that which is untrue and unnecessary in order for us to shine in all our brilliance the reflection of Jesus Christ.
So take my advice welcome the storms that come your way always asking the Father what are you trying to teach me, what are you trying to show me. Bring me to my knees only if you meet me there and commune with me. Mold and shape me into you image and into your likeness. Your word brings peace and joy, while sin simply in its truest form robs you of that same peace and joy.
Intimacy With Christ
Richard Wafford
Intimacy With Christ 