Reflection: Weathering Storms

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

-James 1:2-3 (NIV)

This time last year, I was caught quite off-guard by a storm that wreaked havoc on my life.
It nearly took me under, but by the grace of God I am still standing.
For the purposes of this blog, the specifics are of little significance,
but I will say that the nature of this very storm resulted in severe emotional and spiritual damage.

The storm has let up as the year has passed but the wounds remain.
There are times when small storms still pass through, chasing after the ones before them.
Even still, as I reflect upon this year, I am grateful.
I know I have referred to this storm previously on the blog
and have mentioned my gratitude towards God as a result
but I feel compelled to elaborate on the teachings God has revealed to me
in this last year while weathering the storms.

First and foremost, I confess, just as the disciples in Matthew 8:26, I am weak and of little faith.
As the darkness closed in on me, my first inclination was to succumb to my fears and give up.
To me, everything was already doomed.
My hope was crushed, my heart completely overwhelmed.

And yet, God's grace has amazed me.
His Grace is not something I can easily explain or even understand, really.
But it is something that I have witnessed in my life over and over again,
but especially while enduring this particular storm.
I have learned more about my weakness and the awe-inspiring power of my great God.

Storms can be powerful tools for God to transform his people to be more like Christ.
Witnessing that transformation, not only in my own heart,
but in the heart of my husband has been the most encouraging presence of God I have ever experienced.
Without a doubt, the devil has tempted us to despair but through this storm I have come to realize the
absolute necessity to fight fear and doubt with hope and faith in our one true God.

None of this has been easy. And I would be lying if I said this wasn't a current daily struggle.
This leads me to the next revleation God has bestowed upon my heart. Believers are never alone.
I honestly would not be standing here today if I didn't have awesome believers in my life
continuously speaking Truth into my doubt and
constantly encouraging me to brave the storm with confidence in our great God.
I have been amazed at God's grace in providing woman in my life who did not run away from my doubts & fears but were willing to stand with me as my storm beat on our faces.
Their faithfulness and selflessness has carried me beyond understanding.

As Alex and I continue to rebuild after the storm, I am encouraged by my Lord's sovereignty and his Grace.
I have learned that it is naive to think that when this storm passes, there won't be another waiting in the wind.
Therefore, my prayer lately has been for God to use these storms to glorify Him, to strengthen my understanding of His grace, and to help me in my unbelief.

While I would never wish a storm upon you, I pray that God may use the storms of your life to reveal more of Himself to you. Thank you for providing encouragement to me this year.
I consider each of you a blessing in my life.