Stand Firm in the Storms of Life

2 Corinthians 6:6 (NLT) "We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience."

The apostle Paul was certainly no stranger to storms. In his writings to the church at Corinth, Paul lists several actions we can take to survive and even thrive in those storms. Notice that purity is listed first. Paul is sending a clear and certain message.

Integrity and power for daily life are the results of a heart committed to purity. A clean heart unleashes the authority of God in us and through us. Impurity corrodes stability, while purity generates a supernatural strength. It is that power and stability that keep us from falling. 

Psalm 51:10 (NASB) "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

The Psalmist links a pure heart with a steadfast spirit. "Steadfast" literally means "fixed or unchanging" and defines the kind of strength that can only be found in a right relationship with God. Stability is essential when those blustery winds of life storms are raging. Some storms come to uncover that cherished sin we try so hard to bury. But make no mistake - the purpose of the storm is always to purify – then empower. If we refuse to deal with the sin in our life, God will urge us toward obedience by allowing the storms to come. 

Second Truth: Seek Understanding

2 Corinthians 6:6 NLT) "We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience."

Understanding is only as good as its place of origin. Human understanding is limited and tainted, while godly understanding is infinite and unspoiled. Our greatest lessons are learned in the fiercest storms. I know you have heard that statement many times – but are those words a living reality in your life?

A teacher was asked a question by one of his students who had come across Deuteronomy 6:6 that says, "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts." The student asked, "Why does it say to put God's commandments upon our hearts instead of in our hearts?" The wise teacher responded, "It is not within man's power to deposit truth directly into his heart. All we can do is place truth on the surface of the heart so that when the heart breaks, it will fall in, take root and grow." 

Every circumstance that results in brokenness is designed to produce greater self-control and a fresh perspective. We can face every storm with confidence, knowing that God will redeem it for understanding and truth.

Third Truth: Learn to Be Patient

2 Corinthians 6:6 (NLT) "We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience." 

I must confess that I am not the epitome of patience. In fact, I hate to wait on anyone or anything, which may very well explain the presence of certain storms and trials in my life. James had the same problem but a much better attitude.

James 1:2-8 (NIV) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

I tend to consider it pure joy when I can escape trials of many kinds, but James tells us that trials can and should be faced with patience and an attitude of joy. Not joy for the trials but joy in the trials. Don't miss this vital truth. Joy is deeply rooted confidence that God is in control. Joy is a chosen attitude and understands that trials are not punishment. Take a $5.00 bar of steel. If you cut that bar into ordinary horseshoes, it is worth about $10.00. That same $5.00 bar of steel cut into needles is worth $350 but cut into delicate springs for watches, that same $5.00 bar of steel is worth $250,000.

Trials are a test, a measurement of growth. Patience gives God permission to work and even expects to be tested. We go to great lengths to avoid trials and shelter ourselves from the storms of life. The result is spiritual immaturity. God will not build our character without our cooperation, and He will not work in us without our permission. We must surrender, invite Him to work and then, by faith, patiently embrace that work in our life. Warren Wiersbe writes, "When God permits his children to go through the furnace, He keeps his eye on the clock and his hand on the thermostat." Doubt puts our circumstances between God and us, while faith puts God between us and our circumstances. Patience comes when we give up the responsibility for the outcome to God.

Truth 4: Practice Kindness

When bad things happen, we cry out in desperation for someone to care. More people come to Christ during a crisis than at any other time. Kindness is simply compassion at work and love in action. We need to constantly refocus our success-targeted eyes, crucify each self-promoting heart motive and look for the needs around us. I often wonder just how amazed we will be when we get to heaven and find the unlikely, unknown, but devoted servants of God exalted above all others – rewarded for their quiet and often unseen acts of kindness.

A preacher once described his mother as a woman of great compassion. One day he came home from school to find her sitting at the table with an elderly, homeless man. Apparently, she had gone shopping, met the man on the way, and invited him home for a warm meal. During their conversation, the visitor said, "I wish there were more people in the world like you." The woman said quickly, "Oh, there are! You just have to look for them!" The old man simply shook his head and smiled, "But lady, I didn't need to look for you. You looked for me!" Needs constantly parade before us day after day, but we don't see them. We are too busy to see the broken lambs the Shepherd sends our way. We view them as intrusions or annoying interruptions in our very important schedules. These uninvited and unscheduled guests may very well be divine appointments sent by God. The warning of Hebrews 13:2 is a haunting one. "Remember to welcome strangers, because some who have done this have welcomed angels without knowing it." How many angels have we missed because we were too busy?

Perhaps we fail to be kind simply because we don't care enough. A little girl was sent by her mother on an errand. She was gone far too long, so when the little girl returned, the mother demanded an explanation. The little girl said that on her way, she had met a friend who was crying because she had broken her doll. "Oh," said the mother, "then you stopped to help her fix her doll?" "Oh, no!" replied the little girl. "I stopped to help her cry!"

We are never more like our Father than when weathering relationship storms with kindness and love. Jesus says that if we really love God, we will really love each other. Kindness and compassion are directly related to the health of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The truths in 1 John 4:20 are clear, "If people say, 'I love God,' but hate their brothers or sisters, they are liars. Those who do not love their brothers and sisters, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have never seen." We can be very religious and not care enough. Kindness does not look for reasons. Compassion doesn't ask for limitations. It searches for opportunity.

Truth 5: Experience and Practice Love

We not only need God in the midst of the storm, but we also need each other. The essence of love is tested within the context of relationships. Paul writes that we must "prove" ourselves by being patient and kind. How we handle relationships exhibits the depth and validity of God's love at work in and through us.   

Ephesians 4: 2-3 (NCV) "Always be humble, gentle, and patient, accepting each other in love. You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way."

Learning to build healthy relationships is crucial to a fulfilled life. Someone will always be disappointed, disgruntled, or displeased with us. We have a choice to make – to honor God by waging peace or venerate Satan himself by entertaining conflict in relationships. God is committed to unity. If we don't make "every effort" to eradicate discord, a storm may come to help us do so. I have a friend who raises and works with horses. She once explained how a group of thoroughbred horses confronts an enemy. They stand in a circle, facing each other and, with their back legs, kick out at the enemy. Donkeys do just the opposite, facing the enemy and kicking each other. Enough said.

James 1:2-3 (NLT) "Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

God's ways are higher than our ways, and most human reactions are in direct opposition to the paradoxical ways of God. Honestly, there are times when what He has asked me to do simply does not make sense – to me. And there we find the problem. Faith is a matter of blind obedience, not human logic. At the heart of every storm is victory – waiting to be claimed! What storm is raging in your life today? What step do you need to take in order to experience His strength for that storm? Your Father stands ready to meet you in your darkest hour. He longs to wrap His arms around you until the winds die down and the waves are stilled. Right now – surrender. Celebrate the storm that dashed your battered life on the shores of His unyielding love, and let Him give you the strength to stand firm. 

Photo credit: © Getty Images/whiteson

Mary Southerland is also the Co-founder of Girlfriends in God, a conference and devotion ministry for women. Mary’s books include, Hope in the Midst of Depression, Sandpaper People, Escaping the Stress Trap, Experiencing God’s Power in Your Ministry, 10-Day Trust Adventure, You Make Me So Angry, How to Study the Bible, Fit for Life, Joy for the Journey, and Life Is So Daily. Mary relishes her ministry as a wife, a mother to their two children, Jered and Danna, and Mimi to her six grandchildren – Jaydan, Lelia, Justus, Hudson, Mo, and Nori.