The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
Second Corinthians 1:3-5 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the suffering of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”
We are living in a time when life is filled with storms of one kind or another. In the midst of those storms we tend to respond as if God has somehow been caught off guard. If you read the Bible through you will see that it’s filled with men and women who were storm survivors–people of God who endured great pain and weathered storms, because they chose to follow Him.
The purpose of our storm is to purify and cultivate endurance. At times we may feel we are being torn to pieces under the pressure of circumstances. There are few things we can count on in this life, but we can count on storms to come.
We can also count on God’s continual strength in the storms. When hard times come and when bad things happen, we do not have to wonder where God is. Instead we can hold on to the promise that is found in Jeremiah 16:19, “Lord you are my strength and my protection.”
Just remember no matter what storms rage in your life today, no matter how fierce the winds or how high the waves may be, where you are is no surprise to God. When you encounter a storm, have faith and know God will never put more on you than you can handle. He can and will calm any storm you are in.
When you are in the midst of a storm, just as the disciples were, you could be just feet from the shore at the end of a journey of storms but the forces coming against you have been driving you back. The reason this is happening: Jesus is not yet in your boat. When you invite Him in, you are welcoming the entire agenda of God. I believe that if you can hear what the Holy Spirit is saying, you will open your heart and ask Jesus into the midst of your situation. The moment you do this, you are going to be secure.
Christ, who stood in the disciples’ boat and commanded the wind to stop, the waves to be still, is now in your boat and is able to speak into your life. Remember the amazing thing is that in His mercy, God sends us into a storm to get us to the point where we realize that it’s not by might nor by power, but by His Spirit alone. We are to yield to God. When you have tried your way with no results, give it to God, let Him know you are tired of your plans and ways. Thank Him for sending a storm to stop you in the midst of your journey to get you to cry out to Him.
I leave to you this verse, Romans 5;3-5, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that sufferings produces perseverance. Perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
What storms are you facing right now? How can we pray for you and who else can you encourage in the midst of their storms?
Welcome to our family of writers. Could it be, though, that there are times when God DOES give us more than we can handle? This way we become totally dependent upon him, and we have the opportunity to see Him work in ways that only He could have done. John
Thanks John for the warm welcome. You said it correctly. When we try doing things man way without consulting with God, we often find ourself crying out. Sometimes He will make that storm so strong that we have no choice. He wants us to depend on Him. I have learned that over the years. Kim White- Donaby
Kim I finally found it, And I enjoyed reading it. You found your purpose in life. this is very uplifting and inspiration. Keep up the good work.
Thank you very much. Your words mean a lot.