Overwhelmed by Storms

There are many ways to hide from the realities of life, and everyone seeks shelter from the storms of life that are overwhelming. Job faced a series of catastrophes in rapid succession that compelled him to declare, “How frail is man, how few his days, how full of trouble!"  You may sense approaching trouble and, like Job, feel frightened, perhaps helpless.

It's not unusual to disregard warning signs about approaching trouble. Hiding from trouble is an ineffective attempt to avoid conflict. While it’s possible to avoid and deny conflict, these defenses can prove to be disastrous. Realizing conflict needs to be addressed appropriately is essential to good, healthy relationships.

Trouble visits the righteous and the unrighteous. Job loved God and lived an upright life before him. Still he had to grieve through the death of all his children. We, like Job, can claim God's promise to be our "refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."  When we do so, we gain courage to face whatever life presents to us.  

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God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble.

And so, we won’t be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea.

Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains.

Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God!”

~Psalm 46:1-3,10 Contemporary English Version

Managing the Falling Rain

Managing trouble is a life-long task. The rain falls on the just and unjust, the righteous and evil people. However, it’s possible to invite troubles by the lifestyle you choose to live. Trouble does not mean God has withdrawn his blessings or protection from you, but when trouble comes, he will help you manage and conquer it.  

          When Joseph flaunted his favorite-child status before his brothers, he encouraged their hatred. By harboring hatred, Joseph's brothers acted out in ways they would come to regret. Consumed by hatred, they lost their objectivity, so the ability to ask God for tolerance and insight was out of the question. 

Listen to Psalm 119 from The Message. These words will help you manage trouble. "You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That’s right – you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; and now you expect us to live it," and we are thankful. Are you?

               

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For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

~MATTHEW 5:45b The Living Bible

But I will sing about your strength every morning. I will sing aloud of your constant love. You have been a refuge for me, a shelter in my time of trouble.

~PSALM 59:16 Good News Bible