Are you facing a storm?
By Lance Wallnau
I know that many of us have walked through seasons when it seemed like the sunshine would never return. The interesting thing is, not all storms have the same source or intent behind them.
There are actually three storms you may encounter in life: the storm God sends, the storm that is a result of a bad decision, and the storm that the enemy throws at you!
Each storm is navigated differently. Let’s explore this theme and how we’re meant to respond.
Storm Type #1:
The storm God sends is intense but designed to get you to the other side with increased capacity and more liberated than if you avoid the sea and play it safe. God sent a storm to chase Jonah out of resistance and into the perfect will of God in Nineveh—the very place he was avoiding. (Jonah 1-4)
From the belly of the great fish Jonah cried, “Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own mercy” (and the fish spat him up—on location). An idol is something keeping you from God’s greater thing: His mercy and His undeserved blessing.
An idol is anything you love more than God. Many a storm is sent to break a hidden attachment from your life. It may be the fear of man, an addiction, a person, or an influence that does not belong there. The idol is almost always seeking something more than what pleases the Lord. Jonah made his own agenda greater than God’s.
He was delivered when he yielded, and the entire time he was in distress, the fish was taking him to his destiny.
Storm Type #2:
The storm of bad decisions may be choices you made or others made that affected you. Paul was nearly drowned when others decided to set sail when they should have stayed in harbour.
Many Christians are downright frustrated with the choices of leaders in government because they know the end result will be loss of cargo (economic), or worse, the very ship of state (shipwreck). Paul, however, prayed and fasted till an angel got involved and the ship was rerouted to an island where he was able to take over. He safely landed in Rome, reaching even more territory than was in the original plan. (Acts 27)
God will overrule bad decisions to bring forth wisdom and get you where you need to be. Look at how Solomon, the wisdom child of David, came forth out of the disastrous decision David made to sleep with Bathsheba.
The storm you create becomes a storm God is in once you let Him take the helm.
Storm Type #3:
The storm the devil sends is an attack that is designed to stop you, overthrow you, and ultimately destroy God’s purpose for your life. When Jesus was in the boat with the disciples a great storm arose that threatened their lives. They were experienced fishermen, yet this was a type of storm they had never encountered before. Jesus arose and rebuked the manifestation in the wind and the sea and there was an immediate calm. (Matthew 8:26)
Jesus challenged his disciples “Where is your faith?” Jesus spoke to the wind and waves and they submitted to His voice. Find the Word God is giving you in the satanic assault and speak to the situation. His Word is sufficient to overcome the devil. Jesus talked to things, to trees that did not produce, and to spirits invisible to the human eye. Thoughts are “things” when they take on the power of fear. Disease, financial attack, theft, and violence are all works of hell. Speak what God says and watch heaven back up your utterance.
God is present in every storm and each storm will be made to fulfil God’s Word over your life! “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapor; stormy wind fulfilling His Word.” (Psalm 148:8)
The Holy Spirit knows the way through every storm—and He is inside of you. God will never leave you or forsake you to the stormy elements; the elements must yield to Him.
All three storms are common to man, but you, my friend, are an uncommon vessel. The hardships you come through become a testimony to others. You are a storm-riding child of the Most High God.
You can count on this: no matter the cause of the storm, we have a faithful Father who redeems the story!
As One,
Lance Wallnau