Finding Our Way In Life’s Storms

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Life can be very rough on us sometimes. It can and will toss us around like that picture of the lighthouse above. When it does we get lost and become fearful and confused as to where we are going and if we will make it safely through this life. We become blinded by life’s storms and it as if someone placed scales across our eyes and we no longer can see clearly . For some this is a temporary set back and before to long they are back on track again. For others they become trapped in these stormy seas and can’t find their way home and they are lost in the stormy seas of life.

Some of these folks are Christians and for them life is tossing them around everywhere. They cannot find peace in their life and joy is something that really looks more like happiness, here today gone tomorrow.  In Isaiah 48:10 The Lord said I have refined you,but not as silver is refined.Rather,I have refined you in the furnace of suffering. Folks that doesn’t help a lot of Christians. I know sometime it just frustrates me especially if I am being tossed around in stormy seas. I want to encourage you today that when Jesus is refining you Jesus is making a statement of love and affection to us. If we are not tried in life’s storms and trouble never comes our way we will never know what we are capable of and we will never become pure and Holy as Christ is and develop His character. I know some are thinking your kidding right? We have to suffer and have trials to become like Jesus. Simply put yes.

Some  of the statements I have heard from some folks about their life are, I just wish my life was normal. Why is life so hard,I just want to go away, I thought life would get better when I became a Christian.

I wonder if it’s the worlds normal we are looking at or is it Jesus we have our eyes on. When we compare the troubles we have with others life’s in this world we are using them for our standard not Christ. Jesus is preparing every man woman and child for a work he has for them and some still do not know what that is because they have not got there yet. It just looks like a crooked painful road that is a far cry from normal or has any Joy in it.  For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11. You see Jesus is not letting you go through all this just to abandon you. You are not such a mess that Jesus gave up on you.

Gold must be refined to of the purest form. First Gold is crushed into a powder and flux is added then it is tossed into a hot furnace with intense heat and melted down. All the impure metals float to the top and are removed. Jealousy, Easily Offended, Super Sensitivity, Gossiping, Highly Emotional, Bitterness,Anger,Rage,Hate, and I assure you if you are experiencing it and you are serving God he is removing it from you.

Seriously I am chuckling right now at some of the pain I have endured. Loss of my father, my daughter, addiction to porn and trusting God to make me strong enough to stand while he removed the temptations and underlying issues that kept me in chains. A second marriage I did on the fly to try to recover from the first one that I left three small children in. All the guilt, shame pity , anger, bitterness and you named I had it. Hey that is just the tip of my rough and screwed up past.

You say Tom how can you chuckle about being tossed around like that lost and so messed up in a dark sea. Whats so funny about that. Here it is Jesus can bring you safely home. To think I thought I was to messed up to be forgiven or even call myself a christian. Jesus had one intention and one only,saving me from the storms of my life and for a long time I refused to believe that. He still sustains and keeps me today. I am not perfect. My suitcase still has some baggage I need to unpack. God will get to it as long as I choose to serve Him. He will not leave it undone. Jesus will take each piece out and either burn it in the fiery furnace or neatly fold it and stack it where it belongs. You see Jesus has always known whats in my suitcase. Jesus told Peter, “The truth is that this very night, before the cock crows at dawn, you will deny me three times!” Matthew 26:34  Haha! I wonder what old Peter thought about that.  Old know it all Peter no way Lord. Jesus knows all about anyone of you who chose to read this post including me and he has never or will ever leave us nor forsake us .”That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, “The Lord is my Helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.” Hebrews 13:5-6

Jesus knew all this and still would never leave one of His own or abandon them Peter or me and you..

Malachi 3:3  (TLB) Like a refiner of silver he will sit and closely watch as the dross is burned away. He will purify the Levites, the ministers of God, refining them like gold or silver, so that they will do their work for God with pure hearts. Again Jesus said.

Isaiah 43:2  (TLB) When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you.

You see it does not make any difference were you go where you’re at how far down you have slipped into life’s struggles or what you are facing dear friend. Jesus is with you all the way and his word is your promise that he will see you through. Jesus is faithful to His word. You can depend on him. So when the storms of life come your way and they will don’t hesitate remember these promises and go to him quickly and find comfort as you go through these rough times. Jesus has started a work in you and will not stop until it is completed.

In closing if you’re a young Christian remember that you are being refined and the refiner knows what he is doing, be patient. If you are a mature Christian and the flesh of life has you spinning around like in a wash tub, get out of that tub and focus on Jesus not the feelings and emotions brought on by the problem at hand. He is waiting and will revive and restore you.It is a lie being whispered to you Jesus does care and has open arms for youth comfort and love you. If you do not know the Lord and wonder if he will help you also. The answer is yes. call on Jesus today and repent of your sins and ask him to come into your heart. Tell him you want to serve him and Jesus will do the rest. Read the bible  if you don’t have one they are in your library and make contact with me soon after coming to the Lord or and join a church nearby and they will welcome you and help you along. As followers of Christ we love you genuinely  and eager are eager to be of help to you, just let us know.

Much Love Tom