The Storm Battered Christian

 

    We all go through storms.  Christians get hit hard through life and for being a Christian.  No matter how strong your faith is, you will get battered occasionally.  You get to a point where you cry out to God in frustration, anger, or agony because you can't take it anymore.  Don't give up.  It will not last forever.

    God can restore the storm battered Christian.  He knows your battles and the war you fight with your inner demons (sin strongholds).  He knows who is hurting you.  He know the self-inflicted suffering.  He know the source, reason, and outcome for everything.  He may allow some suffering from captivity that comes from disobedience, but He never leaves you alone.  He is in it with you.

    Before you were a Christian, God made you well at the moment of salvation.  If you are still suffering, then that means you are the one that chose to go back to what held you in captivity.  If it is because of your faith take comfort that it is allowed to strengthen your endurance (character and walk with God).  

    God will use your human enemies to get your attention sometimes.  He allows it to reveal sin in your heart, unresolved issues, or to guide someone who is watching.  He does this because He wants good things for you.  It normally takes hardship to get us out of our comfort zone.  It can take a battering storm to break our hard hearts so that we can see Him more clearly.  

    Spiritual warfare is no joke.  This is where you fight your real enemy: Satan.  He will use people, demons, and anything he can to destroy your life because you are a Christian.  The more you follow Jesus, the more of his focus you get.  

    Satan places obstacles, hate, mind games, and division into your life.  If he can get in your mind, then he will twist it to pervert it, cause depression, or anything else that will cause you to crumble.  He induces negative feelings like fear, anxiety, worry, rage, and more.  

    This is why we need the full armor of God everyday.  We have to protect our mind or he will succeed.  When you are being battered by the storms that is when you need to turn to prayer.  God will calm the storms and bring stability back to your life.  The stillness in your mind is a blessing.  Take courage while you hold onto what God has done and to the faith that He will protect you.

Job 9:17-28, Psalm 107:23-32, Isaiah 54:11-17, & Acts 27:13-26