Life often throws stones at us but we have a choice whether we are going to turn such stones into obstacles or stepping-stones. The storm that you see arising over the horizon has only so much power as you are going to give it. The effect thereof lies in the palm of your hands, what are you going to do with it?
When we face a storm in life, the first thing we most often do is to focus on the negative aspects and thoughts of defeat, doubt and fear appearing on the horizons of our minds.
“Why do things never work out? Where is God? Why does He allow this to happen to me, doesn’t He love me?”
We only see the dark clouds in front of us and have difficulty to see the sun shining behind the storm. Well, fear not, there is another Eye through which we can look at the storm, a sight that will show us the grace of God in a way we might have never considered before. It starts with the following question: “What is God going to do for me during this difficult time?”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (NIV)
Whatever seems impossible to overcome in the physical realm, we can take heart, because the power of overcoming does not rest in our efforts but in Christ’s goodness. A message He writes in the opening line of every chapter of our lives. His goodness always appears in the midst of our darkness once we come to the end of ourselves. Nothing that crosses our paths is a surprise to God. He knows about everything even before we are aware of it. He already knows what purpose it should serve in our lives. This is where our choice comes in: Are we going to struggle through every storm depending on our own understanding and efforts? Or are we going to trust God to clear the clouds and let His purpose shine through the storm? Where are we going to place our focus, on the storm or on what Christ is going to do for us through the storm?
Every time the storms of life throw a stone at you, it could turn out to be an obstacle or a stepping-stone. The choice is yours. In my own life I experienced the power of making a choice to look for Jesus in my storm and turning my challenge into a stepping-stone. I was born with only a pinkie and a thumb on my left hand. I had to face a couple of challenges I did not ask for. My disability posed an obstacle for quite some time until I stopped focusing on my hand and started focusing on Christ and what He can do for me. My disability soon became an arena for Christ to manifest His glory through my life. It was no longer an issue about what I don’t have, but more about how Christ could show His glory through my life. He used my disability to draw people closer to Him without me being aware of it. He has put me on a path of hunger for divine health, which is at each believer’s disposal.
If there is an area in your life that feels like a struggle, let Christ show you the silver lining of His glory arising over the storm you are facing. God let all things work for our good as His children who loves Him. No storms that arise in our lives escape the eyes of God. Wait and watch how He works it for your good. As God’s children, it doesn’t mean that we will never have to face another storm. However, when we do have to face a storm, we will have an unshakable peace and knowing that Christ is going to do something good for us in the midst of the darkness.
Sometimes we cause our own storms in life by making bad decisions that bring undesirable consequences. It hurts and we often look for things and people to blame to no avail. But even when we only have ourselves to blame, we have a choice: Are we going to allow such mistakes to define us or are we going to allow Christ to show His goodness in the midst of our darkest moments? There are no limits to the greatness of Christ that He wants to display in our lives. It is only through the limitations we have in our minds of Him that we fail to experience everything He has for us.
The same way we develop our physical muscles by using them, the same principle apply to develop our spiritual muscles. Thus, your muscles of faith, trust and patience are developed when a situation arise where you have to apply those muscles. For example, the more you use your muscle of faith in God by trusting Him to fulfill His purpose, no matter how difficult the circumstances, the stronger your faith will become. The more we tell our storms how big our God is, instead of telling God how big our storms are, the more we will grow in our boldness of faith.
My prayer for you is that you will no longer look at the storms in your life and have fear, but that you will look for Christ. May He open your eyes to His goodness and give you an unshakable peace. When you face a storm, may God give you boldness in your faith so that you will stand against it and only focus on the good that Christ is going to do for you. May Christ renew your mind to see the unlimited goodness and blessings He has in store for you. I pray this in the Name of Jesus, Amen.