But one thing I've learned is that no matter what season of life I am in ...God is with me.
I've been reading a book called "Be Still: Let Jesus Calm Your Storms" by Cherie Hill. It was a gift from a kind blogging friend.
Listen to a quote from the book:
When God allows a storm in your life ...it has great purpose; if you miss the purpose, you may miss God's will for your life.
How I want to learn the lessons from the storms in my life. I don't want to complain and always ask why. I want to allow God to develop and grow my faith. I want to learn to trust Him, no matter what.
Another quote:
You see, He wants to take you through it. Not over it, not under it, not around it, not between it ...through it. It is through the storm that we come to know God better. He is revealing Himself in greater ways: He's working in us and through us, so that we can reflect His glory even more.
That is my prayer. It's sometimes painful but I know it will be worth it in the end.
How about you? How do you deal with the stormy seasons in your life?
Blessings and love,
Hi Debbie:
ReplyDeleteThis post is very encouraging to me. My husband and I are going through a "storm" in that he is without a job right now. When we look around and see the news about how bad the economy is, the jobless rate, a large state budget shortfall here in Texas, etc., it is easy to become discouraged.
However, I know that God is allowing this for a reason. I love the quote about God wanting to take us through the storm - not around it. He has a purpose and a plan for our lives, and yes these storms are part of His plan.
Blessings,
Joan
AMEN! Love the quotes and how your heart is so tender towards Him and learning all that He has for you!
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Jill
I have also been thinking about the different seasons of life.
ReplyDeleteLove those quotes and thank you for sharing this.
I LOVE this post. I have always felt that way. Thank you so much for posting this.
ReplyDeleteIt is "through the storm" that we come to know him better.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Thank you for the reminder. ...Marsha
Oh, my.... I need to buy that book! So often I pray for God to do something that is "around" or any way but THROUGH a difficulty (for us, our kids, grandkids, other loved ones) and I'm a stubborn learner, but I do know that He had better things if we'll let Him take us THROUGH and onto the other side. I've seen Him do astounding things "on the other side" as a result. He is so good.
ReplyDeleteLT
I love how you quoted the book's phrase talking about God taking you "through" the storm. When I was going through the most difficult time in my life, I clung to the 23 Psalm. I would lie in bed at night and say it over to myself, meditating on every word as I prayed. And everytime, when I got to verse 4: "Even though I walk THROUGH the darkest valley I will fear no evil for you are with me..." I felt His comfort and encouragement. That word gave me such hope. It told me that I wasn't going to be in that place forever. I was moving forward...I was not stagnant. God was with me leading me out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Debbie!
Blessings, Joan
that was for me today.....I just want to go under or over or around.....
ReplyDeleteHi there, Loved this post and I think we grow more like Jesus when we are in the storms-don't always enjoy them but sure want to be like my Lord. I also depend on His grace, prayer and hugs(virtual or in person)from dear sweet sisters like you!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you today.
Noreen
We are starting to come out of a time of storm in our life (at least I hope so) and we have seen the witness of God's hands several times. He is so good and faithful all the time. I believe I've grown quite a bit during this time, but I know I've got so much farther to go. But I know He will get me where He wants me when it's time for me to be there as long as I follow one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteWell with you on this one...our journey has been years, no physical change, but there has been a change in my heart. I am starting to feel a spring season in my heart even though the ground is still covered in snow...I know He wants my heart and to bring me to a place I wouldn't have gone by myself.
ReplyDeleteOh, Debbie, I've never been through a storm that I didn't come through stronger. But, it is so tough at times. We have been dealing with a small storm for several months and it took me some time to feel peace and to release it to HIM. I know in His time He will work it out, one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another great entry!
This is a beautiful post, one I really needed to read. The book would be good to have. I am praying for peace always in my storms... and the only way to do that as I have realized is to find the eye... where all is calm because that's where Jesus is.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this...
Love
Lidj
What a blessing it was to read this post and these comments. I stay so busy "plowing" that I don't get a chance to look back and see what the Lord is doing. ;) What a GREAT blogging friend you have that would send you my book! I'd love to visit her page if you want to send it over to me! :) Oh, I added my email address to my profile too, so that you can email me!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteBlessings and big hugs!
Cherie