Storms of life – Larus Press

When there are storms in life, as there most certainly will be, how do we live as a testament to our faith in a glorious and powerful GOD? Living in the eye of the storm, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Only God

Our focus is on the issue, but instead, when we transfer it from the problem onto Jesus, the storm which rages around us has no effect.

Practically speaking, praise music helps enormously, listening constantly to uplifting, Spirit-led music. For me, the LORD lays specific songs onto my heart, at certain times, to play again and again, until my mind becomes quiet.

People in our lives will come forward too. And I use my spiritual discernment, honed for such a time as this, to consider who the LORD has appointed at this time to support me as I intercede or pray through the storm, until it passes. This has nothing to do with friendship, or offence. This has to do with calming the storm! Some people will be called, and will carry a burden or an anointing, others will not. To “get the job done” we must use the people the LORD has provided.

Trust God

Has GOD made you a promise or uttered a word into your ear? Stand on it! We do not know why specific storms arise, but we know all storms are opportunities to grow. Maybe the enemy has a foothold somehow, or maybe the enemy is being used to demonstrate your strength against him. Remember righteous Job and the pain he suffered, simply to show satan how faithful Job was to GOD. Ultimately he received his reward. We can trust GOD in any storm, as the master of the storm and as our righteousness.

Stand

No matter how stormy the sea, stand in it. No matter how rocky the boat, stand upon the waters, look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (who incidentally literally calmed the storm for his frightened disciples), and do not yield to fear or foe.

Be Nimble

Paradoxically, we also need to be nimble as we experience the situation.

As the storm rages, it will take twists and turns. Allow GOD to lead you through it. Keep your balance in the waves, and trust the leading of the LORD to take you to the shore. He will. He always honours His promises.

No Storm is Impossible to calm

The storm may rage, it may seem unconquerable.

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who [loves] us.” (Romans 8:37)

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and the storm will subside.

During December 2016 I had a prompt from deep within me: “Focus in 2017 because if you don’t do it now you won’t do it ever.”

So, what drives me is this sense of urgency to do all I’ve been called to do, now. To give all to God:

following His lead obediently and passionately, as I surrender to the New Man within me, who is free from angst, self-will, frustration and impatience (which otherwise so often leads me into a state of emotional distraction that prevents me from living the joyful life Father has for me).2.
publishing the documents – books and blogs – which have been on the shelf or in my heart and need to see the light of day, so that others can gain from the insights our Creator has given to me.
supporting my family as wife and mother, so that my husband and son can be all they have been created to be, and express their love for Father in their unique and special ways.

I think storms lie ahead. In fact, we are in the storm even now, perhaps even in the eye of the storm.

Matthew 24 describes the latter days, the End Times before Jesus will return in glory, to judge the earth and to receive his Bride, also known as the Church of Believers….

So many of the earthquakes, rumours of wars, persecutions…. are in full swing already.

How do I cope? I focus on His call, and the responsibilities He’s given me to fulfil, now.

As I dig into God, I will overcome the trials and see His purposes fulfilled in my life.

Hebrews 6:19 reads, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil.”

And there’s an old song based on this scripture:

First of five verses:

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,

Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

Refrain:

We have an anchor that keeps the soul

Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,

Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.

I feel as though I’m on a stream train. At the start of 2017 it left the station, and I’m riding, not driving but nevertheless moving forward, gaining momentum. I’m moving from Calling into Ministry, gaining clarity, gaining speed, gaining momentum.

The fulfilment of God’s promises are imminent. He is intentional, and I join Him, carrying this sense that what I do now is imperative to His purposes.

This is the End of the Age.

Jesus will return.

There is already an almighty battle in the heavens which is manifesting on the earth.

Is the Battle of Armageddon imminent? Who knows when such things will come to pass?

My Call has been and is to inspire, encourage, equip, and empower Believers. Like Peter, who ministered to the Jews and who was convicted of His call to righteousness, my first call is to reach to those already following Jesus, and to compel them to complete their course, to fulfil their Call.

Never have I felt so compelled to be ordered, focused, alert, ready… never have I felt the promises of God so close to fulfilment. And so I choose to live as though “It’s now or never” because I think it is! And I encourage each of you to do the same.