We all face storms in life. Most people fit into 1 of 3 groups... Heading into storms, in a storm, or sailing out of a storm. Things that can shake us up in life.... sickness, death, finances, marriages falling apart.
I. Examine yourself
The reason for your storm is not always your fault. We have all been affected by sin. You might be being tested (Job). God sometimes wants to move us (Joseph to Egypt). Sometimes God is discipling you (Jonah).
Hebrews 12:6 (ESV) "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
Ask God to show you why you are going through the storm. Maybe you need to repent of something.
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV) "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
David went through some hard things that were a result of his own sin, but God restored David.
Galatians 6:1-3 "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, least you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself."
When you see a brother stumble restore them gently. To do that you have to be invested in someone's life.
II. Cry out to God in prayer
When the people cried out to God, they were doing what they were supposed to do. Example the Exodus...the people were being treated awfully and they cried out to God and God sent Moses.
Daniel cried out to God and he was delivered.
Psalm 61:1-2 (ESV) "Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy."
Psalm 62:1-2 (ESV) "For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken."
A. God does love you- (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:39, Ephesians 2:4)
B. God does care for you- 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV) "casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
C. God does want to be close to you.- James 4:8 (ESV) "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (Romans 5:8, John 3:16)
D. Lord, what do you want me to see?
E. Lord, what do you want me to do?
F. Lord be near to me.
God really does love us, he cares for us and wants to be close to us. He really does hear your prayers.
"When you can't trace the hand of God. Trust the heart of God." Adrian Rogers
God is the only one who can give you what you need, so ask!
G. We all need to be praying for each other.
James 5:16 (ESV) "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Galatians 6:2 (ESV) "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
III. Seek God in Scripture
Psalm 119:50 (ESV) "This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life."
Romans 15:4 (ESV) "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
God has a way of speaking directly to us through the Scriptures. We can be encouraged through the stories in the Bible. Hebrews 11...be encouraged through the stories of Joseph, Joshua, Daniel and Job. Pray through the scriptures. Example Romans 12:1-2,
IV. Praise God even in the dark times.
Why, because it is scriptural and it works! Acts 16
Romans 5:3-5 (ESV) "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has give to us."
V. Lean on God's people
If we are the body of Christ we should support other believers. There is a lot of bad advice out there... Job's wife, his friends, social media.
1 Corinthians 12:26 (ESV) "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."
Galatians 6:10 (ESV) "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
We need to be good to everyone...but especially other believers. It's ok to not be ok. We all will be in need at some point in our lives.
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