Storms of Life

How do we rise above the traumas and storms of life? Is it possible? How do we escape the sometimes overwhelming feelings of discouragement and even depression?

My storms began as a little girl. I had a desperately lonely childhood. I felt abandoned, rejected, unloved. Years living in other people's homes convinced me I was the outsider, not belonging. When I was twenty-one, the darkness that invaded my soul convinced me I should kill myself. It was only Divine intervention that stopped that. (The story is in my book, A Life Set Free.)*

Sometimes the storms can take you to death's door. I've been there. God never felt so close.

Sometimes the attack hits us with gale-force winds. Two years ago, I was hit with the biggest storm of my life. I have never felt so hurt or betrayed. All of the hurt of my childhood was nothing compared to this. I will spare you the details, but just so you know, it was brutal. It led to a divorce. I have so much compassion now for people in similar situations.

My ex-husband was a firefighter/chaplain. Some of the things he experienced were gruesome. He saw death many times. That gets into your soul. We weren't designed to endure such trauma. I wonder how many emergency care workers now suffer from PTSD?

What can you do when you're bombarded by the storms of life? These are some helpful truths I have found. When you are afraid you can say. "God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). That verse helped me a LOT when I taught in China. If you look to your own abilities and strength, you will be defeated.

You cannot walk this life in victory without God. Without Him you can do nothing (John 15:5). Without Him, you can't even take your next breath. God promises never to leave you or forsake you. He is with you always, even to the end of the age. He will not give you anything beyond what you can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). Only God can keep you safe in the storms. He’s the only One with the authority to speak to the storms and say, “Peace, be still.” Jesus offers healing for you—spirit, soul, and body. He is the only one who can make this offer. He alone can help you. If you fall down, get up. Ask for God’s forgiveness, wisdom, guidance, and help, and keep walking.

God has you in your own personal custom- designed “Boot Camp.” His purposes for you are far beyond anything you could ever imagine. When the storms of life come crashing around you—and they will—praise God because you have the opportunity for character development. (Sometimes I’d like to just settle for the amount of character I already have. Haha.) Your life has an eternal purpose. You cannot see it all now, but I know by God’s Word it is amazing. “Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, nor has entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

I pray God will encourage you and bring beauty where there may have been ashes in your life. I pray God’s highest and holiest plans for your life will be fulfilled. The final chapter of our lives has not been written yet. The puzzle pieces are still being placed. I am trusting God that the final chapters of our lives will be amazingly beautiful for His glory. Blessings, Beloved of God.

This article was in the July Ignite magazine. Lorie Gurnett created an amazing magazine. Here is the link to check it out for more great articles.

https://www.authorloriegurnett.com/ignitemagazinesignup

A Life Set Free is available on Amazon

https://www.amazon.ca/Rena-Groot/e/B07QB8N8PC%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share