A number of years ago, a hurricane struck Florida. Whole towns were devastated. One mother survived with her children in her arms, even though her roof had been ripped from her apartment complex.
When she was interviewed by a reporter, he asked her how she had found the hope to hold on when the entire world seemed to be against her.
She smiled and said God showed her the storm would eventually end. When the eye of the hurricane passed over her, the sun shined in the midst of the devastation, and she felt God tell her that he was the eye in the midst of the storm, and that no matter what happened, he would be there with her.
Spiritual discouragement is one of the devil’s deadliest tools. In Numbers 21:4 we read that as the children of Israel traveled in the desert, the soul of the people was much discouraged due to the journey.
There are three examples given to us in the Word that reveal to us how to get through the storms that come our way.
Example #1:
Ephesians 6:12 tells that Paul wrestled against principalities. He indicated he felt he had no way out. Yet, in 2 Corinthians 4:16-17, we learn that when Paul was in the midst of a very hard time, he said that his troubles were temporary.
Paul had learned that he would be delivered, even though the possibility of death was his daily companion.
Example #2:
In Luke 18:1-8 there is the story of the widow who went before the magistrate. When there was no response, she returned again and again. Even though he did not want to answer her pleas, he was finally worn down by her persistence.
Luke tells us that men ought always to pray and not faint. To be strong in our faith, we must take the opportunity to pray and to be frequent in our coming before him.
Example #3:
Galatians 6:9 tells us to not be weary in well doing. When things seem to stagnate, and we are getting nowhere, we must not give up.
God has called the believer to a specific job. We may be teachers, shepherds, janitors, or deacons. If God has called us to that position, we are important.
We must keep faith that in due season we will reap our reward.
Jesus is our encourager in our time of need, and our eye of calm in the time of the storm. He will always be with us whatever comes our way.
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