To state it plainly, the past 3 months of my life were far from a pleasant stroll in the park; and if I could be completely candid the days that filled them were racked with pain, depression and anger. My soul literally ached and anxiety pumped through my veins. The unplanned dismantling of a "love connection,” the untimely passing of a friend and the stresses associated with adjusting to a new job had me discouraged and displaced.
During this dark season the typically jovial person I tend to be was lost and the hope of return was bleak. I found myself sleeping more and praying less. In fact, I felt like I was perishing spiritually but somehow during this time I found the strength to put on the mask of happiness. My joy had been sapped and for the first time in my adult life I was truly walking in “the valley of the shadow of death.” I could not control what I was feeling internally; and what made it worse was that this was dictating what I did externally. As a man called to preach and proclaim God’s word through various streams (i.e. blog posts, sermons, etc.) I had found myself completely off course. The encourager needed encouraging and those that were depending on me were left hanging.
I then went on a rant of questioning God’s rationale. Why aren’t things going the way I want? My circumstances just don’t make sense. Yes, silly enough, I was questioning the God who sustains life itself, the one who set the moon and stars! It was during my search for answers that I heard the spirit of the Lord God speak. Ironically, His answer to me came in the form of several questions. “What’s going on?” “Why do you doubt me?” “Is it right for you to be angry?” Surprisingly, these questions brought me liberty in my mind and spirit. Through these series of questions God allowed me to see that I had become caught up in my emotions, which had stemmed from unwanted circumstances. It also became evident that I had allowed my emotions to interrupt my Godly assignment, purpose and sense of well-being.
After a period of reflection, I also realized that despite the situations and circumstances that had seemingly been born to kill my virtue and abort my assignment, I SURVIVED!
Now, if we can play a quick game of hopscotch let’s jump over to the Bible, specifically to the Book of Jonah. Within the context of this book’s 4 short chapters we find a man (Jonah) that was also given an assignment (1:1). He then became caught up in his emotions and tried to flee from the Lord, as he didn’t FEEL like doing what he had been called to do. Jonah 1:4 declares that the Lord sent a “great wind on the sea,” this storm threatened to break up the ship that Jonah thought would provide him a way of escape. Jonah knew that he was in the wrong, and he recommended that the ship’s crew members toss him into the sea so that the storm would calm. Hesitantly, the crew members obliged and subsequently he was swallowed up by a “huge fish” (1:17).
Through a prayer of repentance God eventually delivered Jonah from these “storms of life” and he would go on to complete the assignment that God had originally mandated. To sum things up, Jonah also SURVIVED! Everything that could and should of taken him out, including his own actions, did not prevail!
As you read this post, I’m unsure of your individual circumstances. But one thing I am sure of is that we’ll all encounter periods in this mortal life that will leave us empty and dismayed. I’ve just shared 2 examples of individuals that faced “storms.” They both threw in the towel and God threw it back. Yep! Somehow and someway they both SURVIVED!
Maybe life has come at you fast lately, or maybe you’re still feeling bogged down from things that have occurred in the past, such as sickness, heartbreak, the loss of a job, financial issues, etc.. Regardless of what you may be currently experiencing or what you may have gone through….if you are able to read this post, that means you SURVIVED! The fact that you are still able to function and think in your right mind means that you SURVIVED. Despite feeling like you have gone to Hell and back, you SURVIVED! The truth of the matter is that many individuals get stuck in the “valley” and never find a way out. So as you read and reflect on this post be thankful for the STORMS, because the STORMS reveal the STATE of our STRENGTH!
Before I close my laptop, and retire writing for the day, do yourself a favor. Take all of your circumstances and toss them into an imaginary pile and scream aloud and proud – I SURVIVED!!
When the storms of life seem to way you down
Remember there is one in heaven who is wearing the CROWN!
He sits high and He looks low
He loves you more than you will ever know
Never again do you have to doubt
Because for every situation, there’s a way out
Just cast your cares upon the Lord
And like an eagle you'll mount up and soar!
--- Oliver C. Johnson III
