We all know what it is to hear there is a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning. We take the proper precautions and avoid any danger if possible. So, to, we all have storms in our life, especially as Christians.
David Wilkerson spoke often of every time he began a new book, he had to endure a great painful struggle. You can be sure if you are going to affect others, he will do his best to stop you. What is the definition of storm?
Storm – an atmospheric disturbance characterized by a strong wind, usually accompanied by rain, snow, etc. and, often, thunder and lightning. Any heavy fall of rain, snow, etc. Anything resembling: as a storm of bullets. A strong emotional outburst: as a storm of criticism.
I know when I have disturbances in my life, I always react with “Oh No” instead of thank you Jesus. I know there is something good in this for me. But as I adjust to the trouble, I seem to calm down a bit. Then I can learn the lessons He has so lovingly sent to my needy soul.
James 1:4 says, But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.
Romans 5:3 says, …but we glory in tribulations also: knowing tribulation worketh patience.
Patience in the Greek means to endure and to bear trials. And Matthew 24:13 says But he who endures to the end will be saved. Amp. So we see how important patience is and we get it only through tribulations.
There was a time for me that I was going to so many funerals that I was getting good at it. How bad is that? First My Step Father died, then My Mother, then my brother, My husband and then my daughter. I had to take care of the arrangements for all but my Step Father’s. Every time it felt like a dream that was not really happening, that I was not in control but as I took the Lord’s hand He led me where I did not want to go. By the time my daughter Melanie died, I was more prepared.
In the midst of the storm, He always shows up in ways that do not happen when all is calm. He did many special things that I will never forget. I learned so much from those days, but was very glad for the afterward.
Hebrews 12:11 says, For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose).
To sum up the storm and the afterward, no one says it better than Spurgeon.
“Our sorrows, like the passing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them “afterwards.” It is peace, sweet, deep peace, which follows the horrible turmoil which once reigned in our tormented guilty souls. See then, the happy state of a Christian! He has his best things last, and he therefore in this world receives his worst things first. But even his worst things are “afterward” good things, harsh ploughings yielding joyful harvests. Even now he grows rich by his losses, he rises by his falls, he lives by dying, and becomes full by being emptied; if, then his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit in this life, what shall be the full vintage of joy “afterward” in heaven?
Oh, blessed “afterward!” Who would not be a Christian?
Charles H, Spurgeon
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