by Dr. Lance Wallnau ~
There are three different storms in life that you will encounter –
- The storm that God sends.
- The storm that bad decisions create.
- The storm that the enemy sends.
Each storm is navigated differently.
Storm #1 – The storm that GOD SENDS is intense but designed to get you to the other side larger and more liberated than you ever would have been if you avoided the sea and played it safe. God sent a storm to chase Jonah out of resistance and into the perfect will of God- in Nineveh- the place he was avoiding.
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). ~ Jonah 1:4
An idol is something keeping you from God’s greater thing – His mercy. 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 or a person or 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 #2 – The storm of BAD DECISIONS may be choices you made or other’s made that effected you. Paul was nearly drowned in a decision made by others to sail when they should have stayed in harbor. Many Christian’s are downright frustrated with the choices of leaders in government because they know the end result will be loss of cargo (economic) and a possible shipwreck. Paul however prayed and fasted till an angel got involved and the ship was rerouted to an island where Paul took over…and made it safe to Rome. Adding new territory that wasn’t even in the original plan.
God will overrule bad decisions to bring forth wisdom and get you where you need to be. (Acts 27:9) 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 over the ship.
Storm #3 – The storm that THE DEVIL sends is AN ATTACK designed to stop you, overthrow you and destroy God’s purpose for your life. When Jesus was with the disciples, a great storm arose that threatened their lives. As experienced fishermen, 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. (Mt 8:26) Disease, financial attack, theft, violence are all works of Hell.
Jesus challenged His disciples “Where is your FAITH?” The thought of their ship sinking while Christ was on board provoked Him to challenge what they were focusing on. He told them “lets go to the other side.” His Word was sufficient to give them leverage over the devil.
Find the Word God is giving you in the assault from the enemy and speak to the situation- Jesus talked to the wind and waves. He talked to things, to tree’s that did not produce and to spirit’s invisible to the human eye. Thoughts are “things” when they take on the power of fear. Speak what God says and watch heaven back up His Word.
GOD IS ON BOARD IN EVERY STORM and each storm will BE MADE TO fulfill God’s Word over your life! “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapor; stormy wind fulfilling His word” (Ps 148:8)
The Holy Spirit knows the way through every storm- and He is on the inside of you. Hence GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU or forsake you to the stormy elements.
A special personal note of encouragement: All 3 storms are common to man – but you, my friend, are an uncommon vessel. What you come through becomes a testimony to others. You are a STORM RIDING CHILD of the Most High God.
