The ProcessSample

Day 5: Perfect Storm:

On day 5, we’re talking about the perfect storm – when everything seems to happen at once!

Years ago, I went through a perfect storm in which the enemy tried to destroy me from every direction at once. It was absolutely horrible. But now, God is using this experience to help others as they go through a perfect storm. When people go through a perfect storm, it does not come suddenly. It may feel like it comes suddenly, but behind the scenes, evil powers had already secretly partnered with people to fuel this perfect storm. A perfect storm that comes against a person often affects their family, friends, and the ministry or church connected to that person. It can be a bitter cocktail of all three storms at once, and you could say it looks like a tornado when you see how overwhelming it can be and how much destruction it can cause. People who live in a tornado area know what to do when a tornado hits. They go to the shelter or leave the area that is about to be hit by the storm.

This is one thing you must do when a perfect storm hits you. Find a shelter, which can be your home or some other place; find a place where you feel safe and nurtured, where you can be taken care of, and where wise men and women surround you. There is not much you can do when a perfect storm hits you. Spiritually speaking, your hiding place is being with the Lord, listening to what He says about you, your now, and your future!

Remember that there was a time in Jesus’ life when He and His family had to hide in a foreign nation, Egypt. Moses had to hide himself for some time, David had to hide himself for a while, and the list goes on and on. There are both men and women in the Bible who experienced a perfect storm and had to hide. The Holy Spirit even led them as to where and how to hide. The Holy Spirit will help and lead those people who need to hide and find shelter in Him.

In the case of Jesus, God Himself was behind the plan of the cross. But we also see that when Jesus was crucified, all hell came after Him. How did Jesus respond to His perfect storm? “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Jesus did not blame the people around Him for being used to create this perfect storm. He forgave them. Jesus knew that some people who betrayed Him or denied Him were used by God. No one murdered Jesus; God was behind the plan of the crucifixion so that everyone could be saved and receive eternal life!

The fact is that this perfect storm uses munition that can be found in your past. It is no use denying your past; if you do, it will backfire. What you do need to do in response to such a storm is this:

• Start by taking responsibility for your actions; if you have made mistakes, don’t hide them.
• Guard your own heart. Having lots of emotions is healthy, but don’t let anger take root in your heart, and do not let emotions rule. Experiencing emotions is different from having them control you.
• Get counseling for a while if necessary.
• Speak the promises of God over your life out loud.
• Take time to worship, pray and read the Word.
• Don’t fight the devil on his own territory.
• Hide, rest, eat well, and make sure you start exercising.
• Take time with your family or the people dear to you.
• When the storm is over, start to rebuild in a better way.
• Focus on the Psalms in these seasons of process; every emotion you can experience during a perfect storm is mentioned in the Psalms, as David went through several perfect storms. Just look at what David wrote in Psalm 69:1-5!

Amid your perfect storm, trust in God and lean on Him. The storm may seem difficult or impossible to overcome now, but it will eventually become a part of your testimony.