To
the above question, most well-meaning people would answer ‘yes’, not until they
face their first storm. The storms we face in life have a nature to scare,
frighten, destabilise and uproot our ships, even rip them from their anchors -
which represent our self-confidence. Why? Because such storms come with strong
winds racing at the speed of over hundred kilometres per hour, toppling every
obstacle on its way; lifting and thrusting them a significant distance away.
Indeed, it will take a good dose of gale and hurricane winds to move our
anchors as we look helplessly and desperately on. Storms will test our
resistance; how strong or sturdy we claim to be under any circumstance.
Now
the question being asked is whether our anchor would hold. This denotes that
storms can make us give up the fight, the race or the struggle. Not so soon my
brother and sister! We are called to withstand the storm by standing firm. “If
you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!” (Proverbs 24:10)
We shall overcome if we do not feel overwhelmed and faint. The challenges we
face in life can be upsetting and have devastating consequences for us. The
encouraging thing is that they were not meant to nail us down, Oh no! We are
supposed to learn from our storms such that next time they come our way, we can
ride on them just like the eagle.
In
this life, we are bound to encounter storms except if we are not living on this
planet. Our storms may vary in size as we go through life as teenagers, youths,
young adults and even grown-ups. It is just a part of growing up. Do not
crumble under them whether they come as a bolt of thunder, or in frequent succession.
Do not cry over them either; it is not the end of the world. The beauty of it
all is that during these tests and trials, we are building up strength and
immunity in the process to better address them in the future. No one individual
is exempted; we are all exposed to storms.
Storms
are not intended to knock you out, but to start you over. They will test your
faith to see in whom you put your trust, to measure your faith and determine
who you look up to in times of trouble and trying times for that matter. Your
faith will be tried so that you will learn to rely not on your own ability, nor
on your strength, but on Jesus – the Mountain-Mover. “The Lord is my rock, my
fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my
shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)
God
will not abandon His own in times of troubles. When we call upon Him, He will
answer. He will give us victory and will put testimony on our lips. We shall
say; “The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? ...
For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me
in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:1b, 5)
Do not pay any heed to your storm, brother, sister, because with Jesus in your
boat, you will smile at the storm.
A
group of seasoned fishermen were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat when a
storm raged, to the point where they feared the boat would capsize. At the
stern, was their Master, Jesus, taking a nap. After they had done all they knew
to do and were overwhelmed, they appealed to Him. “Rabbi, (Teacher) don’t you
care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38) Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind in these
terms: “Quiet! Be still! The wind died down and it was completely calm.” (Mark
4:39) Then they remarked; “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him.”
( verse 41)
Satan
would want to make life difficult for you by throwing ‘fiery darts’ at you or
by putting spokes in your wheel, but that will not harm you. When he makes such
attempts at delaying your breakthrough or heaping frustration after frustration
on you, just say: “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17)
Do not let anything disturb or distract you. You know why? Because “the One who
is in you, (the Spirit of God), is greater than the one who is in the world
(Satan).” (1 John 4:4b) Satan is seeking your ruin, downfall or failure. Tell
him to the face, ‘I shall not be moved; just like a tree planted by the
waterside.’ ‘I am blessed, and highly favoured!’ ‘Satan, you have the wrong
address; I am a child of God!’
Let
this be our testimony. “He (God) reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my
foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.” (Psalm 18:16-18)
Watch
what you are building your faith on though, so that when troubles come your way
you will know where to turn and on whom to call. Jesus never fails.