Storms of Life

It is amazing how one phone call can change a life. Or, one diagnosis can rock a family. Or, one accident can alter ones existence. Or, one decision can damage so many lives. Bad things happen to everyone. Good people, bad people, rich people, poor people, smart people, simple people all have storms which rage in their lives. Hardship is the common denominator of human existence.

Understanding God is sovereign over all people, places, and things, why does He allow storms to rage in our lives? If God can stop calamity from occurring, why does he allow it to continue?

Volumes have been written on this topic, but essentially two types of storms are allowed into our lives. God allows storms of perfection and storms of correction to enter into our lives.

For instance, the biblical example of Job demonstrates a storm of perfection. Scripture states that Job was a blameless man, who was put through extreme trials. Through Job’s trial his faith was perfected. James 1:2-4 states:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

When we find ourselves in life’s storms, we must ask is this a storm of perfection?

Next, the biblical example of Jonah demonstrates a storm of correction. Scripture states that God commanded Jonah to preach to the city of Nineveh. Resisting God’s will, Jonah headed in the opposite direction. He finds himself on a ship, in a storm, a storm of correction. Eventually, Jonah is partially digested by a fish and regurgitated onto the land. Jonah experienced the discipline of God. God loved Jonah enough not to let him continue in his sin. Hebrews 12:7 states:

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?”When we find ourselves in life’s storms, we must ask is this a storm of correction?

In conclusion, Jesus told us that in this world we would have trouble, but that He had overcome the world (John 16:33). If Christ Himself us told about troubles to come and if He Himself endured the storms of life personally, we should not be surprised by the storms. Simply, we must ask, “Is this for my perfection or correction?”

The Highest Court in the Land

In the United States, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and has the final say. For a case to make it to the Supreme Court, it must first pass through two levels of the federal court system. A case must first be tried at the U.S. District court level. Then, depending on the outcome, one party can make an appeal to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Assuming satisfaction is still not gained, a party can solicit the case before the Supreme Court, assuming the Court will receive the case.
In the same way, people try our “cases”, or seek approval, everyday in one of three courts in life: the court of public opinion, the court of personal conviction, or the court of the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 4: 3-4, the Apostle Paul says, “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me (NIV).”
The court of public opinion seems to be court where most people seek approval. Politicians cannot make the smallest decision without the proverbial opinion poll. Dr. Phil and Oprah run more homes than parents. Madison Avenue, the media, and peers tend to determine the norms and values of Americans in general. Whether small town or big city, churched or unchurched, old or young, people innately desire the approval of others. What gives? Public opinion is the lowest court of appeals in God’s judiciary. Great men, women, and organizations never allows the winds of public opinion set the course of their destiny. Many times the crowd is wrong. Heeding the advice of public opinion will make one socially accepted and personally unfulfilled.
The court of personal conviction is the second court many people seek their approval in. In the postmodern world, it has become accepted that ones personal interpretation of the truth cannot be questioned or proven wrong. Tolerance rules the day. Truth is gleaned largely through personal experience. Basically, whatever is working for a person is true for them. Therefore all roads can lead to heaven and any lifestyle choice is valid based on the individual’s experience. Truth acquired through personal experience breaks down when one understands how small their individual experiences are in relationship to the larger world. Cultural conditioners and personal heritage create individual biases and even prejudices. While it is important to have personal convictions, they are not the ultimate gauges of right and wrong.
The Supreme Court of approval is the court of the Lord Jesus Christ. Approval is largely associated with authority. People seek the approval of their authorities. For instances kids seek the approval of their parents and workers seek the approval of their bosses. Christ’s approval matters the most because He is the ultimate authority. It was an empty tomb that proved his authority. Therefore, anytime individuals live to appease a lower court --public opinion or personal conviction-- they fail to live for the greatest approval.
If Christ’s approval of me is all that matters, then external and internal pressures cease. I am no longer a prisoner to the opinions of other people. I do not let the approval or disapproval of any man or woman change my course. I no longer allow my experiences or lack of experiences to be my truth. I no longer let my own weaknesses and poor self-esteem set the pace of my existence. I lean on an understanding much greater than my own. If Christ’s approval is all I seek, I live a ‘pleaser’ free existence. What is a ‘pleaser’? The ‘pleaser’ is the person who makes himself or herself tired trying to please everyone around them. You and I were created to please an audience of one. Don’t seek approval anywhere else but the highest court. When you find yourself struggling in a lower court, make your appeal to the Supreme Court, His Court.