Inside Out: A 40 Day Journey to Transforming Your HeartSample

Prepare for Rain 

Rain. It’s cold, damp, and can be destructive. Rain causes accidents on the roads, flooding in the valleys, and makes us shiver to the bone. Rain hinders our visibility and hides the sun. It is gloomy and can sometimes even affect our mood. When it rains, it often pours.

We’ve heard the saying, “Prepare for a rainy day.” This means saving up money, food, or resources when the storms in life hit. We never know when a time of trouble will come, but we can try to prepare as much as possible. When we store up what we need, we can make it through any storm. We keep what we’ve stored up in a special place that we know we can draw from when needed. We do this not because we are fearful but because we are responsible for doing what we can to be equipped for whatever is to come our way.

Rainy days come in our hearts as well.  These are the days where sadness overwhelms us, and the tears won’t stop. The days we react in an ungodly manner and see the destruction in the relationships around us, feeling defeated.  The days we give into foolishness and can’t seem to backpedal our way out of a decision. We weren’t ready for the rain of emotions, the rain of temptations, the rain of the pressures of life, and now, we feel stuck in them. 

When we don’t prepare for the storms in life, we usually turn to sin-filled solutions rather than soul-filling solutions. When we don’t save up for house repairs, and our roof begins to leak, we get into debt to repair it.  When we see someone is upset with us, we fight back with defensiveness and anger, rather than humbly listening and learning how we’ve affected the other person.  When there is a sudden illness or death of a loved one, we may run from God, wondering how He could be a loving God and allow this to happen. Storms increase our stress, cause struggles in our relationships, and may strain our relationship with God. This is why we must prepare for the rain. Storms will come, but are we ready? 

What do we need to store up to be ready? Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Our most incredible resource to help us wade through any storm is God’s Word.  When we take the time to read His Words during times we are not in a storm, we will remember them when we are in a storm. God’s Word gives us wisdom on what to do and how to respond. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). God’s Word gives us comfort and the courage to press on. “My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word” (Psalm 119:28)! God’s Word also guides us on how not to sin when times get challenging, and we feel we are about to lose self-control. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word” (Psalm 119:9). We can walk through storms with hope, knowing God is the God of rainbows and keeps His promises. God is the God of new growth after the rain.  God is the God that can rebuild, restore and renew places long devastated in our lives. We store up God’s Word now so that His words come to our mind when we need them. 

      Many Christians around the Word live in countries where it is illegal to have a Bible or be a Christ-follower. These believers memorize entire books of the Bible. They understand Psalm 119:114, “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” When they are prisoners for their faith, God’s Word reminds them to be hopeful and still worship God in their dire circumstances. 

     If we want to start building healthy hearts that can navigate the storms of life, we must be reading, meditating, and memorizing God’s Word.  We need it at our disposal so that our hearts don’t deceive us in the storm.  God’s Word will prepare us to be strong from the inside out, and we will come out of trials victorious! 

Take a Moment:

• What topic in the Bible would you like to study to help you prepare for future storms or a storm you are currently experiencing? i.e., peace, hope, comfort, obedience, etc. 

• Go to blueletterbible.org. Type in that word or topic.  Every verse in the Bible with that word will be listed. Read the verses and choose which ones to memorize. 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that can give me wisdom, comfort, direction, and hope in my greatest storms in life.  Set my heart to study Your Word so that I will do what it says in times of trials. May I hold fast to Your Word so that my life will bear fruit as I walk in the storm with patience and trust in You.  Thank You for transforming me from the inside out with Your Living Word. Amen.