Trending News:
- Tropical Storm Harvey batters Texas. ~USA Today
Beloved, Hurricane Harvey has caused massive devastation and destruction in Houston and other areas. Our prayers and thoughts are with those affected. You may not have experienced a national disaster like a hurricane, but you may have faced a different kind of storm. Maybe you have faced discrimination, financial trouble, sickness, disappointment, frustration, loneliness, stress, loss. However, in Hebrews 13:5, we have the promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will keep us calm in the storm.
Isn’t it amazing how God is always in control? God spoke, and the entire universe was created. With that same power, He will help us through life’s storms.
In Mark 4:35-41, we learn a valuable lesson. Jesus was teaching near the Sea of Galilee and wanted respite from the crowds. He took a boat with the apostles to the other side. A storm arose, but Jesus slept. This speaks to the humanness of Christ. Not only did he need a break from the crowds, but he was so exhausted that he slept through a storm. When he awoke, he reprimanded the apostles for their lack of faith.
As Christians, we often have more trials and ‘storms’ than anyone, as the enemy always seeks to destroy us, and our relationship with Christ. Nevertheless, our faith in Christ, diligence in reading the Word, and an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit can bring peace in any circumstance.
Here are five important keys for calming the storms in your life:
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- Give God and His Word priority. Only a life built on the foundation of God’s Word will withstand the storms, trials, and tests of life. Jesus said:
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Matthew 7:24-25, NIV
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- Use your spiritual armor. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:14-18, we have an armory at our fingertips. We need to prepare ourselves for the storms that will arise in our lives by arming ourselves and always praying in the Spirit.
Stand firm then … with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace … And pray in the Spirit on all occasions …
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- Renew your mind. By prayer, study, and meditation in God’s Word, you can be transformed. Do not conform to the world around you, and you will eliminate many of the storms that the enemy intends to attack you with.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
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- Claim a sound mind. To eliminate distressing thoughts, claim the peace that is rightfully yours. Jesus said:
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
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- Be on guard. Be assured, Satan will launch attacks against you. Like Nehemiah did in the Old Testament, use your faith to set a watch against the enemy.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
I Peter 5:8-9
Beloved, in order to weather the storms, we must give God priority, arm ourselves, renew and claim a sound mind, and always be on guard. Only then will we have peace in every circumstance in our lives.
Say this faith declaration out loud: Lord, thank You for Your peace that passes all understanding. When I am faced with a storm in my life, I will arm myself with Your Word in all situations. I claim Your peace that is rightfully mine with the power and authority that You have given me. Amen.
Scripture Reading:
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:39
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3, NKJV
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