#GOD – Rooted

In the Old Testament God was very clear about His decrees, regulations, and instructions on how to obey Him. He gave these to the people through Moses as evidence of the relationship between Him and the Israelites.

When the people of Israel disobeyed, God punished them. When they obeyed there would be peace and when they disobeyed disaster would follow. It seemed pretty simple and clear in Leviticus 26, if you sinned He would punish and often by sending calamity. God still would give them a chance to repent and return to Him, He was so patient and still is! He did not give up on His people even when they disobeyed and sinned.

In the New Testament, He still does not give up on us! Our God is never changing. With the new covenant, He gives us the gift of eternal salvation when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, we still sin and calamity still floods our lives. So we must obey. But even if we obey, will calamity still flood our lives?

So let’s talk about this…calamity is a disaster or distress that enters our life, let’s call it “a storm.” Christian or not, obeying or not obeying, storms still happen! When calamity floods us the reason is not always clear…is it the result of our disobedience, the result of someone else’s sin, or was it a natural disaster? These are real questions we ask ourselves in the storm – why did this happen to me?

Many times we don’t know what is causing the storm, so we need to ask God to search our hearts and through prayer try to lean toward peace with God. We have to go to Him and NOT blame Him. He will reveal any areas we need to deal with because He loves us so so much! Prayer is a must during the storm. We must be still, pray, and listen for Him.

From experience, this is NOT always easy to do in the middle of a storm but we must try!

I have also learned the following the hard way, we must guard our hearts when a storm enters our lives and no wrongdoing has occurred by us. We can’t accept or assign blame to ourselves in every storm we experience. Misplaced guilt is one of satan’s favorite weapons against the believer. Know this and learn it, so when you are in the storm satan can’t take hold. Armor up today and everyday and tell satan he ain’t welcome!

If you are in a storm today, be it a little rain shower or a hurricane, seek God! Ask Him to search your heart and lean toward being at peace with God. He is a God of love! Throw your anxieties onto Him, He will heal you, love you, and protect you.

What I learned from Leviticus is He wants us to grow during these storms! We may be overwhelmed in the storm, but it is a growth opportunity in your faith. We get to grow with God even if it hurts. Keep this mindset along with hope as you continue through the storm – please don’t despair and fall away from God.

Pray this out loud in the storm:

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.” Jeremiah 29: 11-12

God wants the best for us! We must retain hope while we suffer and then pray… and pray some more and also fast. Having hope, praying scripture, and fasting helps us understand God’s merciful ways.

Stay strong in the Lord my friends and know the storm will pass and growth will be the result!