The headlines read, "Vicious Hurricane Dorian slows to a crawl, and that could be bad news for Carolina's." The slower it moves, the more wind and rain will pummel the Carolina's coast, forecasters say. Currently, experts predict 5 to 10 inches of rain in the Carolina's, with isolated areas of 15 inches. As we listen to the weather forecast many of us begin to experience anxiety. Didn't we just go through this? Some people have not had their repairs from Hurricane Florence! Our governor said, “North Carolina's should make sure they are ready for this storm and for all types of emergencies and disasters.” Amen!
We will always have storms in our lives. A hurricane is a strong storm! Make sure you are ready for the storms in your life and for all types of emergencies and disasters. As we know, we will have storms. John 16: 33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." While there are many things we can do to prepare for a hurricane let's also remember Who is in charge! 1 Timothy 6: 15, "God is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters."
Philippians 4: 6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Do not meditate on the mess. Meditate on your Maker. If we concentrate only on the problem it will get bigger and bigger. Look to God like David did. Psalm 121: 1, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills- from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." No one knows that better than Peter when he was on the stormy Sea of Galilee. He was a fisherman in a small boat facing ten foot waves. He cried out to God, "Lord if it is really you, then command me to come to you on the water." Jesus said, "Come". Peter left the boat and walked on the water through the storm to Jesus. But when Peter started focusing on the wind and saves he became afraid and began to sink. He shouted in Matthew 14: 28, "Lord, save me!" As long as Peter focused on Jesus, he did the impossible.
God has His purposes in the storms of life. We learn in storms. We draw closer to God in the storms. God is doing His work. He will not waste our pain. His primary purpose is to make us more like Jesus. Let's remember the sense of community last year during Hurricane Florence. Neighbor helping neighbor. Our church feeding hundreds of linemen and people without power. Some have even joined. Again, God can bring good from this storm. We can trust His Word. Romans 8: 28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Let's go ahead and thank Him for what He is going to do. Romans 12: 12, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Take comfort that God will never leave us. Hebrews 13: 5, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." This could give us a chance to see His grace more clearly in our lives. There is a force stronger than Hurricane Dorian that can change our life for the better! And it is hope! He gives us hope! Psalm 39: 7, "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you."
Here is a great Scripture to memorize in the next few days. Isaiah 43: 2, "God will carry you through the storm."
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