Storms (Part 4) Storm Perspectives

How we perceive a storm will determine how we proceed when a storm comes our way. Consider with me some positive results of storms.

Storms Stir the Waters. From a spiritual perspective, more times than not, we all need to be stirred in the depths of our spirit. Peter, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit said: “YES, I think it is right as long as I am in this body, to STIR YOU UP by reminding you...” (2 Peter 1:13). Too often, in church, people get stirred up about the wrong things for the wrong reasons.... or, nothing stirs them. Waters that are never stirred usually become toxic—every pastor will well understand what I’m talking about. It may be that there are times when God allows a storm in order to stir our stagnant spirit. A storm of idolatry stirred the Apostle Paul to stand up and declare that there was a living and loving God the Athenians did not know (Acts 17). Sometimes God does in us, in the storm, that which we won’t allow Him to do, in the calm.

Storms Remove Dead Wood from Trees. More times than not, the fierce winds of a storm will cause dead wood (branches and limbs) to fall to the ground. In fact, the longer they have been dead, the less wind it takes for them to fall to the ground. In John 15, Jesus teaches on the importance of

pruning. The dead and unproductive branches are removed in order to produce more fruit (John 15:2). It’s true in individuals and it’s true collectively, in churches. In SOME SITUATIONS, a storm can have a pruning effect on our life. Some Christians pray for “fire” while others pray for “fruit”. The truth is— God wants us to have both.

Storms Create an Opportunity for Us To Reach Out To Storm Victims. In storms, some are victors, and some are victims. Storms provide a platform for us to demonstrate love and compassion to those impacted by the storm. In the church, when a family goes through a storm, it creates the opportunity for the church family to reach out with care, concern and compassion. Storms need not weaken and divide— they can strengthen and unite individual families and the church family as a whole. Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore AS WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY, let us do good to all, especially to those of the household of faith”.

The title of this devotion is “Storm Perspectives”. In a storm, perspective will determine whether we worry or worship... panic or praise. Whether you are a parent, pastor or proprietor, when the storm winds are blowing you can speak words of courage, confidence and comfort. As people of faith, it’s not the wind or wave that determines our perspective - it’s the Presence and Promises of God.