Maturing in the Storm
After re-reading a post I wrote about last year's Gulf Storms, and then praying about Hurricane Florence that just hit the Carolina's, I realized I’ve matured spiritually. Prayerfully, you have too. Last year, I thought that as believers, we could pray away the storm; and in some instances, we can. But Matthew 24:6, 7 Jesus says, “See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass…there will be…earthquakes in various places.” Ordinarily, you’d think that earthquake means earthquake. But the Greek definition is, ‘a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake.’ Therefore, earthquakes also refer to hurricanes. Which means, as believers, we cannot pray away some hurricanes, because as the Lord told us, ‘these things must come to pass.’ With that being said, surely, the Lord doesn’t want lives lost and belongings destroyed, does He? Absolutely not!
Some Situations Must Come to Pass
Matthew 7:24, 25 says,
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”
You and I should build our houses on the rock. Meaning, the foundation of our homes should be built on the revelation that even if the rain descends, the flood comes, and the winds beat our houses, they will not fall or be destroyed. How do you do that? You first come to terms that you won’t be able to pray away every storm because remember, the storm is going to come; regardless as to how you build your home. I keep saying that, because when hurricanes and storms arise, typically, believers pray. We make our confessions that the eye of the storm will be plucked out and we command it to change course. When it doesn’t, our faith is hurt because we believe that either we didn’t have enough faith or that God wanted the storm to destroy lives and property. Neither of which are true. As believers, we have to understand that there are certain situations we cannot pray away. Though I keep repeating myself, you need to get that. There are certain situations that must come to pass. With that being said, don’t stop praying and confessing. But go to the Word and find out why you had a faith failure.
Faith Failures
A faith failure is something you were praying and believing for that didn’t or hasn’t happened. But it could be that it wasn’t a failure at all. I discovered that after praying fervently for Hurricane Florence not to hit. Afterwards, I was so encouraged when I found out it'd been downgraded to a category 2. I thought, ‘There are some believers in that area who’s linking their faith with ours and God is working on our behalf.’ However, when I woke up the next morning, I was disheartened by the reports, so I prayed again about it. God then reminded me of Matthew 24:6,7; ‘…See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass…there will be…earthquakes (gales of air)…’ Notice He said don't be troubled. In other words, don't be discouraged or disappointed that the storm still hit. It had to happened. In case you're wondering, I didn’t ask Him why it rains on the just and the unjust, I simply humbled myself and thanked Him for bringing that to my attention. Why? Because about this time last year, I thought that it was possible to pray away ALL storms. A year has passed, and I’ve gone through a few personal storms, so I know first-hand that there are certain situations you cannot pray away. So I say the same to you. Yes, the storms may hit, but that doesn’t mean your faith failed. There are some things in life you cannot pray away. You simply must ask God to navigate you through them as quickly, safely, and securely as possible.
Pray this with me: Heavenly Father, I thought my faith failed. I was beginning to question myself and unfortunately, I was beginning to doubt You. Lord, please forgive me. I know that You are a good God and only want the best for me. So, I ask You to mature me spiritually so that I can know what I can and cannot pray out of my life. Help me to know what to stand against and what to stand in faith for You to take me through. In Jesus’ name.
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