If you're going through a season of trial or if you're feeling overwhelmed by your circumstances, & you've started to doubt that God is big enough to help you, then this is definitely for you. However, first I want you to open up your hands in surrender to the Father & let Him be present with you in this moment. Remember to thank Him for being a good good Father who cares deeply about you. Let me start by giving you Psalm 61.
"For no matter where I am, even when I’m far from home,
I will cry out to you for a father’s help.
When I’m feeble and overwhelmed by life,
Guide me into your glory, where I am safe and sheltered."
Storms can be really scary when you’re walking outside all by yourself. Darkness settles in, lightning flashes, thunder cracks, the tension rises. The rain comes. Sometimes it’s a few drops, but most of the time it’s a complete downpour. It doesn’t wait for you to run to cover, or pop up your umbrella; it takes you by surprise. It soaks you to the bone & changes your surroundings. Sometimes, the rain continues pouring down in sheets in front of you for so long that it starts to blind you & then suddenly you can’t see further than exactly where you’re standing. You feel yourself being weighed down as it seeps into your clothes & an overwhelming sense of confusion starts to take over as you struggle against its immense force. Every step you take is harder than the last & you start to doubt that you'll ever move out of the pouring rain. You try to make one last desperate scramble before starting to sink slowly down onto the flooded floors, too exhausted to fight against the storm any longer. The rain comes.
However, storms can actually be kind of fun when you’re at home & tucked in bed with a warm cup of coffee listening to the soft patter of the rain on your roof. Suddenly the same thing that brought you to your knees is barely in your thoughts, never mind crushing you. Yes, the rain is still coming thick and fast, but you’re safe indoors. The roof is taking the hits and keeping you dry.
Friend, what if the rain was your relationships, your work, your school, your thoughts, your health, anything that brings you down time after time. BUT what if your roof was the One who's greater than & keeps you safe from the rain. The One who walked on the waters & calmed the storm with His voice. The One who turns really big fears into even bigger testimonies. His name is Jesus. The One who was, still is and is to come. Why would you worry about something that Jesus already has the victory over & isn’t worried about? There will still be trials, because His word doesn’t say ‘if’, but ‘when’ [the rain comes]. However, if you choose to believe in Him you’ll have someone to lean on & look to for help when the rain does come. Someone that you can ALWAYS count on & that, unlike the world, will always listen when you call on Him. He is faithful through the storm. You don’t have to clean up your life or overcome your trials before going to Him - the door of access is permanently open to Him, so come as you are. The Lord sees what’s hidden under the surface & it doesn’t scare Him. Even in the dark of the storm He finds you & loves you.
In Romans 5:3-4 Paul writes, ‘We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.’ Paul knew that trials are a part of life, whether you’re a Christian or not, but he also knew that in the trials we have the opportunity to build endurance to run the race set before us. We should not despise trials, because God uses tribulation wonderfully in our life for our good and His glory. You can't experience a miracle if you don't have a problem first. Rejoicing in tribulation & standing in the Father’s grace means you can testify of God’s goodness, at all times, because He’s more than enough. Being certain of God’s favour; yet being ever more tender in conscience toward Him. To believe, & allow to be loved while knowing you’re unworthy, & knowing that in the crushing God’s refining fire is making you new. Friend, you’re not leaving this trial the same, & this season doesn’t define you.
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)
The honest truth is that you cannot fully overcome this trial in your own strength, you need Jesus. You need His word, you need His strength, you need His love & you need Him to anchor you. Jesus has won every battle, so you walk in HIS victory.
So next time the rain comes, know that:
- God is greater than the rain -
- God uses tribulations wonderfully in our life for our good and His glory -
- Jesus' love will never let you go - He is faithful through the storm -
- Jesus has already won this battle -
One last note before I finish. Remember, He is El-roi, ‘The God who sees.’ He is not blind to your struggles and He longs to stand with you through them. You're not weak when you ask the Lord for help; you were designed to have a personal relationship with Him. You can rest in Him knowing that no pain is wasted when you walk in His presence. When you’re falling apart Jesus won’t let you go; it doesn’t matter how far you run, you’ll always run into His love. Friend, be still and let your Father hold you through this storm, His hands are more than capable.
"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." (Mark 4:39)
Until next time,
Larah xx
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