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Why does God allow storms in our lives?

1.  HE USES STORMS TOCORRECTUS.

"Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that it is because of me that this great storm has come upon you."     Jonah 1:12 (NASB)

2.  HE USES STORMS TO SHOW US, AND OTHERS, POWER AND GLORY.
 

"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet, be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples,'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?' They were terrified and asked each other,'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!'" Mark 4:39-41 (NIV)

3.  HE USES STORMS TO GET US TO DEPENDON HIM MORE DEEPLY.

"Do not be afraid, take your stand and see the salvation of the Lord which he will accomplish for you today. For those Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent and remain calm."                                              Exodus 14:13-14

4.  HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND IN A STORM?

• Draw near to God!

• Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and his will for my life and to gain the power to follow his will.

Action Plan: Make time to spend alone time with God.  Try to get a 15 minute break to take a walk, take in the sky, clouds, birds, etc. and talk to God.  Give Him thanks and ask Jesus to be with you. If you'd like to begin or restart a habit of a daily quiet time with God, download this Engage: 21-Day Guide and begin on day 1.

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."         Psalms 139:23-24 (NIV)

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." Romans 8:26 (NIV)

"I will lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2 (NLT)

• Invite others into your life.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
 Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12 (NIV)

Action Plan: What noisy turmoil in your life has you rattled?  Does anyone close to you know of this storm?  Bring it before the feet of Jesus, and talk about it with a trusted friend.  Seek to clarify what's your part to carry, what part can be shouldered with a friend, and what part should be surrendered to God.

• Tell others what he has done for us.

Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name."
Psalm 18:49 (NIV)

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."      2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)   

Action Plan: Who is going through a storm now that you've been through before?  Reach out to them and begin a conversation and let that person know that they can count on you. Do something simple to communicate love.