“There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain.” (Isaiah 4:6) 

Nor’easters can occur in the eastern United States any time between October and April, when moisture and cold air are plentiful. They are known for dumping heavy amounts of rain and snow, producing hurricane-force winds, and creating high surfs that cause severe beach erosion and coastal flooding. A Nor’easter is named for the winds that blow in from the northeast and drive the storm up the east coast along the Gulf Stream, a band of warm water that lies off the Atlantic coast. 

Recently during one of the nor’easter storms we experience in New York, I observed the trees reaction to the hurricane-force winds. I noticed that some trees were able to resist the force of the wind by bending and moving in the direction in which the wind was blowing. The damage sustained by those trees were minimal. 

On the other hand, the trees that were weak or unable to withstand the hurricane-force winds were uprooted or sustained major damage. Some of the trees succumbed to the wind and fell. I observed that the trees that were flexible and which had a good root system survived the nor’easter. Those trees that could not bend and that had a weak root system did not survive. 

As Christians, we need to learn how to survive the storms that come into our lives. When I first gave my heart to the Lord, I was told that all my problems would be over. Thirty minutes after I was saved I entered into what seemed like it would be a lifelong nor’easter. It was as if the winds of adversity met the stream of disappointment and began dumping heavy trials into my life, one after the other with no end in sight. I don’t want you to believe that life has always been stormy. On the contrary, I have seen many sunny days. However, I did not appreciate the sunny days until I learned how to bend and anchor my soul in the Word of God. 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105) 

Life can be difficult, and for some of us it seems like we are constantly facing storms. For some of you, this has been a season of storms. You have experienced one crisis or challenge after another. There have been financial storms that took all of your resources. 

You may have had a relationship storm, such as a divorce or the death of a loved one, or the storm of infidelity or abandonment by a spouse. You may have experienced the storm of depression and loneliness. Some of you have gone through countless other storms that I haven’t mentioned. 

You may not have fully recovered from the storms you recently experienced. Before you were able to repair the damage from one storm, another storm came along. It may seem like you are destined for more storms in the year to come, but let me encourage you the storms will prepare you for your next season of blessings. 

I declare to you that in this season you will experience blessing after your storms. What you experienced during the storms will surely make you stronger. Your storms allowed your faith to grow strong in the Lord and teach you to anchor your life in the Word of God. You have learned through your storms how to bend, and allow the storm to pass over you. 

Confess this with me: “My storms are making me stronger.”

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