I used to wonder why God’s children
suffer so many violent storms and torments in their lives. Then I sought to
know the truth; and the truth saved me. Now my storm is over, and this is my testimony.
Follow me, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free”. (John
8:32)
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MY STORM IS OVER |
1.
WHAT ARE STORMS?
In nature storms are violent
disturbances of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder,
lightning, or snow. But in the society storms
refer to violent disturbances in the lives of individuals, and in families, relationships,
communities, economies, organizations, occupations, businesses and in other
human activities and institutions; with torments, oppositions, challenges, oppression,
accusations, conflicts, violence, setbacks, afflictions, failures, stagnations,
poverty, suffering, etc. This article is
focused on the occurrence of violent social, physical and economic disturbances,
caused by opposing spiritual or invisible forces, in the lives of followers of
Christ.
2.
CAUSES OF STORMS
A natural storm is created when a center of low pressure
develops with the system of high pressure surrounding it. This combination of
opposing forces create winds which result in the formation of storm clouds. Thus
two of the most important elements for thunderstorm formation are unstable air
and moisture. The action of warm air rising and cold air sinking (convection)
plays a key role in the formation of severe thunderstorms. Similarly, in the
human, social and economic environments storms are caused by unstable human
behaviors and the oppositions of divine and demonic forces, vices and virtues, the
Spirit and the flesh, Christianity and the world (Ephesians 6:12; Galatians
5:17). As a follower of Christ you may suffer violent storms in life either
because you are irregular with the world or because you are unfaithful to God. As
the scriptures say, “If you belonged to the world, then the world would love
you as its own. But I chose you from this world, and you do not belong to it;
that is why the world hates you”. (John 15:19); and, "I know what you have
done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one
or the other! But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to
spit you out of my mouth!" (Revelation 3:15-16). And if God vomits you out of his mouth it
means that his Word (or promises) would no longer cover you – then Satan
may step into your life to generate storms.
Contact GODMAN AYING by Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com
3.
EFFECTS OF STORMS
The effects of natural storms include various dangers such as
storm surges, flooding, extreme winds, tornadoes and lightning; that can severally
and individually cause significant damage to life and property; as well as hinder
or slow down economic and social activities. In the same way human storms have
drastic and dreadful effects in the lives of their victims. These may include the loss of love, support, relationships, properties, jobs,
businesses and finances; leading to poverty, loneliness, misery, dependence,
loss of dignity, stress, sickness and deaths.
4.
STAND THE STORMS
In the world people with irregular behaviors are more exposed
or vulnerable to storms than the people with regular behaviors. Ironically, they
are the righteous people whose behaviors are irregular – because they do not
conform to the standards of the world (Romans 12 2). For this reason they are victims
of accusations, aggressions, blackmail, oppressions; wherever they are and no
matter what they do (John 15:19-21). Moreover,
they are usually the targets of spiritual attacks; by demonic, witchcraft,
familiar, monitoring, occult and ancestral spirits; that they have renounced in
their baptism and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. (Revelation
12:17). Interestingly, also, these very
outcasts of the world are the most resistant to storms because of their faith,
hope and trust in the Almighty God – who is able to do all things (Luke 1:37).
Contact GODMAN AYING by Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com
5.
CALM THE STORS
Whether you storm, as a believer, generates from your
irregularity with the world or from your unfaithfulness to God, the only way to
calm it is to wake up from slumber. (Romans 13:11-12; Ephesians 5:14). Jesus –
the miracle worker - might be asleep in your boat (Luke 8:23) because you are
not talking with him. And that is why the storms and the waves are tossing you
up and down, and forward and backward. The following are reasons why Jesus –
the Living Word – may fall asleep in your lifeboat. They include inactive
faith, disobedience to God’s commandments, failure to study, meditate and do
the Word of God, failure to pray in the Holy Spirit and without ceasing.
Therefore, in order to calm down your storms you have to wake up the Master
Jesus (Luke 8:23); and keep him awake, day and night, by: your faith and actions (James 2:17-18), obedience
to his commandments (John 14:15; Acts 5:29), constant meditation and practice
of the Word of God (Joshua 1:8; Luke11:28), fervent partaking of the Eucharist
and the sacraments (John 6:53-58), prayer without ceasing in the Holy Spirit.
(Ephesians 6:10-18). When your storm is over there comes a whole new life – peaceful,
pleasing and prosperous – giving every reason to give thanks to God for all the
storms you have suffered. This is the reality of my experience!
Author:
Godman Aying; Catechist, Writer & Evangelist;
Copyright
(c) Catholic Front Media (2012-2023); All rights reserved
Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com
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