10 Things to Do When Going Through a Storm: PART 2
6. Surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Choose to connect with the kind of people who will pray with/for you; choose wisely because it is important to be able to trust them to not gossip about and judge you. God often shows us His love through others (I John 4:12-13). But, be aware that someone may not choose to be loving, and remember, you must never blame their failure on God. Forgive them and release them (Ephesians 4:31-32). God will always supply your needs, even for love, according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
Pray: Father, please bless me with a friend(s) who stick closer than a brother. Let them have hearts like Yours. When I confess my faults, let them pray for me to be healed. Place in my life mentors, family, and friends who will never judge or gossip about me but will tell me the truth in love. Father, help me to be the same towards others.
7. Remember no storm lasts forever. God says He will never put more on you than you can bear. A loving father would never place a load on his child that's too much for them to bear. God's love and goodness far exceed that of all human fathers combined. Remember His Word and stand on the promise that, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it ( I Corinthians 10:13). Though the devastating natural storms throughout history wreaked havoc, they all had stopping points where the winds calmed down and the rain ceased. "No storm lasts forever" is a phrase I heard the Lord lovingly speak to me twenty years ago, during one of the most devastating periods of my life. Sure enough, the storm did cease.
Pray: Dear God, help me persevere and stand even after I've done all to stand (Ephesians 6:10-18). Please, show me how to fight the good fight of faith (I Timothy 6:12). Help my faith to grow and deliver me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4). Lord, thank You that Your perfect love casts out fear (I John 4:18).
8. Be a blessing to others. Staying focused on what God assigned you to do brings glory to Him. Demonstrating His love in the earth is one of the most selfless things we can do. It is a sure way to defend against selfishness and self-centeredness (Philippians 2:3,4). Get so busy doing the right thing that you don't have time to do wrong things. Not to earn God's love but because of God's love. We are His children, and He is dwelling on the inside of us, working in us to both will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
Pray: Father God, let others see my good works and glory You (Matthew 5:16). Help me to be generous with my time and resources as a blessing to others. Father, help me to remain focused on being about Your business (Luke 2:49). Lord, please work in me to will and do of Your good pleasure, in Jesus' name, amen.
*Come back for Part 3 of 10 Things to Do When Going Through a Storm.