Storms!

I woke up at about 1a.m. on Sunday 27 December 2020 with the sound of rain lashing against the windows. The UK is being battered by storm ‘Bella’ with gusting wind and driving rain.

The storm had left some areas of the UK flooded and some houses without electricity. In fact, it was earlier reported that some people were forced to evacuate their homes on Christmas day due to flooding.

I sat in the sitting room listening to the howling wind and the rain and meditating on the wonders of God. I started wondering how storms are formed, what causes them, why they are named.

I do not pretend to know the science behind the formation of storms, but I do know the effect of them when they reach landfall. For those who have been unfortunate enough to be caught in one, the storm had caused untold devastation to properties, businesses, livestock and human lives.

The truth is that we’ve all experienced some form of storm. For example, failing health, financial struggles, joblessness, loss of a loved one, relationship breakdown etc.

Celebrating the wonders of God, His Majesty and His all-surpassing greatness whilst in the middle of a storm is extremely hard. Singing songs of praise to God is one of the hardest things to do when we are going through hard times.

We may have cried, prayed, and fasted for God to change a situation. And faithfully, God may change the situation or choose to change us instead. Remember the Apostle Paul and the thorns in his flesh, how he prayed for God to remove them?  ‘Each time He (God) said,  “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” ‘2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT). God expects us to have a changed attitude during these times of battle, affliction, and challenges.

With our prayer and fasting, our attitude should be that of complete trust and total surrender to God’s omnipotence and sovereignty. Our attitude should be of undefiled praise and worship of the One who is able to change our circumstances.

It should be of celebrating who He is—the Almighty God who is stronger, greater, powerful, smarter, high and lifted up above all powers and principalities. Our attitude should be of celebrating and rejoicing in the One who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think according to His power that works in us.

Celebrate God’s greatness amidst your storms and see Him show up to calm every contrary wind. “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You”. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

Lord Jesus as we celebrate Your Majesty, I ask on behalf of my friends, family and Church to show up in the storms of their lives and let your peace reign, guarding their hearts and minds. Amen

Stay blessed,

Alex