Here's a great question I received by email related to the devotional messages titled "Into the Strom," "Loving Hands of Discipline" and "Trust While We Soar." I'm posting it here for open discussion.

Question: As we grow in Christ, moving from babes to mature adult sons, can we expect less storms? Is victorious Christain living at its apex, storm free?

Jesus said that his burden was easy & his yoke was light, but it also says Jn 15:20 "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." Paul said he had a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble; & that it was a big humbug. 2 Tim 3:12 says "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." I suppose it depends on what mission God has for you & how much you are conformed to the image of Christ, Jas 4:4 says "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." so if the world loves you, you may very well be on the wrong path. Heb 12:7-11 says "7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." So in order to get us to conform to the image of Christ we may have to go through some rough seas but have no fear because Jesus also promised us in Jn 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Question: As we grow in Christ, moving from babes to mature adult sons, can we expect less storms? Is victorious Christian living at its apex, storm free?

NAU 2 Corinthians 11:23 -27 Are they servants of Christ?-- I speak as if insane-- I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

NAU Psalm 121:1-2 A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

NAU Psalm 9:9 The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble;


Paul, one of the greatest servants of Adonai did not lead a “storm-free” life. Nor did the patriarchs – Abraham or Jacob. Nor did Moses or David. Having troubling events and circumstances in our lives is part of Adonai’s refining process to create within us a character that will be used to bring Him glory and honor.

It is also God’s plan to bring us through the storms and help us rise above them. As others see what help we receive from our God they too will see what a wonderful and great God we serve and want to know Him too!

Even the best Christian life is not storm-free”, but it is God Who works within the storms to accomplish what He wants. In everything we go through it is His desire to have us draw nearer to Him and to be known by all. Paul’s life was one of constant turmoil and I believe this example alone, shows us that a trouble-free life is not a gauge of how spiritual one has become.

Chelki

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chelki,

Chelki reminded me about 2 passages:

2 Cor 1:4 "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." - he puts us through things so we can give our testimony of God's grace in those situations.

Nah 1:3 "The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet." - God has his way in the storm & the whirlwind, he will make it do exactly what it needs to in our lives.

Also I just read this that seems to be dealing with the subject:

Rom 5:3-5 "3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Wich reminds me of the one in Jas 1:2-4 "2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

I think the message of August 4th, "Compelled to Minister" answers this. Jeremiah found more trouble the longer and more passionately he served God. How can we expect anything less? Yet with each storm we grow stronger in our dependence on the Lord if we lean into Him. Each storm ruffles us less than the one before if we learn to rest in Him.