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“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”  James 1:2-3 (ESV)

Chilling on the beach is one of my fave things to do. Sunshine and cool breezes – who could ask for more, right? First day out, I grabbed all my stuff and soaked in some Vitamin D.  And right around lunch time, dark clouds moved in quickly and raindrops danced on the sand. Best part, I was already inside and the storm moved out within a few moments. I always find It interesting how a storm can pop up out of nowhere at the beach and either move out to sea or deposit a quick shower.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if the storms of life moved out that fast? We tend to dread the signs of hard seasons. We even try our best to avoid challenging situations. Regardless, we all know storms are not always predictable nor are they fast moving. Too often, we are faced with storms definitely not of our choosing.  Rarely can we impact the duration and downpour effect a storm has on our lives.

So, what’s a girl to do when those unpredictable storms hit hard and long?

Just like we run for cover when the rain begins, we must run toward the covering of our God and rest in the shelter of the Almighty. Prioritizing intentional periods of prayer, solitude and reading God’s word keeps us pivoted in the right direction. We all know that trials tend to zero our focus on self. You got it –  sympathy, pity and violins playing in the background – nobody’s got it as bad as we do, right? This is exactly where we don’t want to land. Yes, we have to give voice to the emotions of all we are experiencing yet we don’t have to allow fear to reign in our responses. By running to our God and seeking His help, wisdom and strength, we can avoid the pitfalls of simply reacting and dwelling on getting out of the storm.

James, the brother of Jesus, challenges us to embrace our storms with joy. Doesn’t quite sound like the way we would think to react; I typically am not jumping for joy in the face of challenges. Yet James isn’t referring to happy emotions; he is talking about an inner state of joy chosen by those who allow the Spirit to fill them (Galatians 5:22-23).

No two storms are alike, and our trials will vary in length and type. Some will be unpredictable  and others we will see coming in the distance. Yet the end result is always aimed at testing our faith – who and what we truly believe. Producing steadfastness, an inner fortitude fueled by the Holy Spirit, enables us to stand strong even in hard places. It’s the refining of our inner person resulting in spiritual maturity, integrity, devotion and godliness. Bottom line, even the longest and hardest of storms popping up on our radar path has the potential to perfect and complete us.

Sweet friends, if you’re in the storm allow the joy of the Lord to be your strength. Press in, hold on and gain valuable lessons from the One who holds it all together.

“Father, we can trust You to carry us through the storms of life. Help us to choose joy and stand strong totally dependent on You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life