The Perfect Storm

If you are like me, you will say that there is no "Perfect Storm" because we do not like them.  When you are in one, there is nothing to like about it. Nothing at all. But there are reasons why a storm in our life could be considered a Perfect Storm; that's because God will use the turbulent times in our life to bring us to a place to where He wanted us to be all along. Let me show you what I mean.

In Matthew 14 :24-32, While Jesus was away from the disciples praying, they found themselves in the middle of a great storm. Notice, Jesus didn't cause the storm, He was where He should have been: praying, communing with the Father.  Just because we are faithful children of God, this doesn't mean that hard times won't come.  But we have the assurance that Jesus will meet us out there on the water in the middle of the storm; and who knows, an opportunity to do something great may present itself. But the question is would that opportunity ever come if we are always on the beach?  I may be wrong, but I don't think so.

There are plenty of reasons to not like a storm, and they are extremely obvious. No matter if it is daytime or night; when a storm comes, the clouds that roll in are dark and daunting. The winds creating the waves are frightful because they are displaying the power of earthly elements that we can not control. Human nature doesn't like not being in control, ever. When we are not in control, that means that we have to admit, at least to ourselves, that we do not have all of the answers. Another thing that we as being human, we do not like.

We have to remember, that the Word tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that God has GOOD thoughts toward us. A plan for our future. So that must mean that we are not to go under and be overtaken by the storm, but rather we are to be expectant for God to be there in the storm.  That means our faith will expect God to rescue us; we will expect Him to show up when we are afraid. The surroundings may cause fear to show up, but our faith will say " Now, where is Jesus, I know He is here somewhere".  If you look at Matthew 14 the disciples saw Jesus, but didn't know it was Him. Their fear caused them to not recognize Him in such a miraculous state because they didn't know that He could walk on water. But because of this encounter with Jesus, we know in our situations that He Can!

Let's look at another "Perfect Storm".  In Jonah Chapters 1-3, you'll find the story of Jonah running from what God instructed him to do. I know what you might be thinking, because I have thought it before myself.

In this perfect storm, God did orchestrate it.  Because Jonah literally went the other direction to keep from doing what He instructed him to do; God created a storm and mind boggling events like being swallowed by a "great fish",  all to get Jonah to line up with the GREAT things that God wanted him to do.  Now realize this before we go any further. God was not going to kill Jonah, although he must assuredly felt like it, Jonah wasn't going to die. God directed Jonah's path to the place where self would get out of the way and he would listen to God's instruction.

I might be the only Hard headed person in the world, but somehow I know that I am not the only one that relates to Jonah. God tells us to do something, and we think we either know better of what we should do or we are just like Jonah saying "No Way Am I Doing That".  Been there, done that.  And I do not plan to ever do it again.  God does have a way of showing us that He does know best.

There is an interesting thought that I realized.  In the storms of life (Matt 14) they come and go, and God is there every time, and it only took a few verses to tell the story.  But when we run from God, we create the problem. It took three chapters to tell Jonah's story!  I think that it is safe to say, that even though we might be afraid, its easier to do it God's way than our own.

The Perfect Storm does exist in our life. The question is, what will it create IN us?

Father,
I thank You for each person reading this entry today.  I know that You so faithfully guide us and see us through to the end of every situation in our life.  Your plan for us is so much greater than we could ever plan for ourselves.  We choose to surrender and trust you with every situation in lives instead of taking the long or hard way around.  Your grace and mercy is so much greater than earthly minds can wrap around, but You yet your are so Faithful and true to Your Word.  WE love and bless You for loving us first.  In Jesus Name.

Blessings to you all.
Have a great day !!