The Beauty in the Storm

As I sit here and watch the snow fall from my balcony, I am hit with a glorious revelation from God. Many of us throughout the U.S. have been greatly affected by winter storms. Some are forced to stay at home, some have lost power, some have had accidents, and some have even died. Although winter storms have the potential to bring about such horrendous effects, I challenge you to see the beauty in the storm.

In a sense, these storms are a gift from God, if you choose to see it that way. These storms have cancelled the everyday routine of life for many, especially for us down south, giving us more time to do the things we wouldn’t normally prioritize or have the time to do. I see these storms as bearing gifts of play, rest, reflection, quality time with love ones and friends, the opportunity to catch up or get ahead on work, and the opportunity to spend some quality time in the presence of God.

I’d also like to take this revelation one step further. We can even apply this idea of seeing the beauty in a storm to the trials we may face throughout our lives. Though the hardships of life often cause doubt, grief, confusion, pain, fear, stress, etc., I challenge you today if you are currently faced with a hardship (and even in the future) to ask God, “What is it that you have for me to gain from this situation?”

Because whether you believe it or not, God has the ability to work everything together for our good according to His will (Romans 8:28). God may be using a situation to take your faith to another level. He may be using that person at your job to improve your patience. He may be taking you through something so that He can use you in the future to help or minister to someone who has experienced a similar situation. Or He may just simply be taking you through something so that you can “die” to self, surrender, and give your life to Him. Whatever the case may be, I challenge you to see the beauty in the storm.

Be encouraged,

Imanne