I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 ESV

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4

Today as I begin my blog post for Monday morning, I am listening to the rain slashing across our metal roof and the wind swirling in the treetops, scattering leaves and breaking branches. The hurricane is raging through the eastern coastal states. We are in the storm, but we know that God is with us as we ride out this physical storm. Even though we had some cleanup to do, we had no damage to our home or outbuildings. Thank you, God, for being with us and giving protection in the storm!

We all have “storms” that come into our lives; the death of a loved one, a broken heart, an issue with our health, a divorce, addiction, let’s face it, the list is long. We shouldn’t be too surprised because Jesus promises that we will have troubles in this world. But many storms seem to catch us off guard. Storms that can take away our peace and test our faith. But when we trust that God is with us in our storms, the testing can actually strengthen our faith and bring hope.

Paul even encourages us to rejoice in suffering because it allows us to mature in our faith, building endurance, character and hope. It is hard to rejoice in the midst of the storm, but as we trust God to get us through it, we are strengthening our faith “muscles.” I can look back on some of the early storms and realize that the only way I made it through was because God was with me and for me.

Storm – finding my first teaching job in the middle of the school year, January! God provided one!

Storm – it was for a classroom of “behaviorally, emotionally handicapped” 4th-6^th graders! God provided mentors and granted wisdom!

Storm – I was promoted to be a traveling teacher for the whole county. God protected me when I was diagnosed with epilepsy, I never had a seizure while driving!

Storm – I couldn’t drive for a year, and I needed another job! God provided a 1^st grade classroom at a nearby school and a kind-hearted teacher who offered to drive me home each day!

As I look back, I see the Lord’s hand in every storm, and I rejoice that He was with me! No matter the storm I am facing I have hope that God will again see me through it.

This week look back at some of your storms. Do you see God in your “sufferings” and troubles? Can you rejoice in His protection, guidance, and presence? How has your faith grown in the storms?

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we seek God in all our storms in life.

Blessings and hope as we weather the storms of life and strengthen our faith!