Storms are a part of life. They are inevitable. It’s either you have just faced a storm, you are presently facing one or you will face a storm in the near future. Storms are also called challenges. As believers, God wants us to face and overcome whatever storms life throws at us because He has equipped us. Victory comes after overcoming challenges, and that’s where we get the crown.
In life, no one ever gets a crown without overcoming something.
There are, however, strategies for overcoming our peculiar storm. Storms may come in the form of financial difficulties, barrenness, health issues, misunderstanding, etc.
Let’s look at the scripture
Isaiah 40:31 [KJV] But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.
God wants us to be like eagles that soar when the wind is contrary. The eagle does not flap its wings to fly but uses the wind to its advantage to soar.
This singular ability distinguishes the eagle from all other birds. It’s the ability to soar.
But the secret to soaring above whatever challenges we may be facing is our ability to wait on the Lord.
Waiting on the Lord is not worrying, it’s not complaining, it’s not thinking about problems, it’s not crying, it’s not getting depressed. It is spending (by discipline) quality time praying in the spirit and worshipping God, then He gives us the supernatural ability to soar above the storm.
Don’t concentrate on the storm. Take your eyes off the storm. The storm was mentioned once. So the focus should be on you. You mount up with wings as eagles, you, run and are not weary…
As you focus on yourself and what the Holy Spirit can do in and through you, you begin to receive strength, strategies, wisdom, and divine favour and before long, you will overcome whatever challenges life throws at you.
There is no shortcut to a life of victory. It is a praying life. Jesus said, “Men ought to Pray always”. Praying in the Spirit or praying in tongues works like magic. It generates miraculous power that the devil cannot master.
I encourage you to do this and victory is on the other side of the storm.
There is one key that I know works for every relationship. It works on the principle of being proactive rather than reactive.
When you are proactive, you are intentional, and that’s what we all have to do in our relationship. Every relationship has benefits to offer. God created man not to be an island but to leverage relationships in such a way that your weakness finds strength in the other person or partner.
Our relationships offer a complimentary advantage. One can only chase 1,000, while two will put 10,000 to flight.
Being proactive in relationships involves taking initiative, showing responsibility, and consistently making efforts to strengthen the bond. It also involves not allowing the weaknesses of others to determine your actions or feelings.
Many people have a hard time coping with the inadequacies of their partners. Their response to their partner is based on whatever their partner does.
Our response should be based on our core values, understanding of our purpose, and that of our relationship.
Anytime we are proactive rather than reactive, we become the bigger person- walking in love as against rendering evil for evil and tit for tat.
Let this be your rule in whatever relationship you are in.
This is a powerful revelation I got from a man of God and I would love to share it with you.
The Bible refers to the devil as a roaring lion. Actually, the devil is a toothless, powerless lion who just scares its ignorant victims by roaring at them.
1 Peter 5:8 [KJV] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
However, the Bible tells us that this roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour. That means he can’t devour everybody. He has to seek the type of people he may devour.
Now lions don’t eat fruits, they only eat flesh. Flesh will attract the lion anytime.
The Bible talks about the works of the flesh.
In Gal 5:19-21 we read the works of the flesh
Galatians 5:19-21 [KJV] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
That means if we still have the works of the flesh in us, we will attract the devil, and then he may seek to devour us.
In 2025, we must eliminate the works of the flesh from our dealings in our marriages, and every aspect of our lives.
The fruits that the Holy Spirit within us grows are recorded in Galatians 5
Galatians 5:22-24 [KJV] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Let our goal this year be to develop the fruits of the spirit more. Just like Jesus, when he was on earth, the devil could not find any works of the flesh in Him. He lived in total victory.
Do you want to experience total Victory in your life? Then, focus more on developing the fruits of the Spirit because lions (the devil) don’t eat fruits.
I love God’s Word. It is the Container of God’s miracle-working power. When God wants to work signs and wonders in our lives, He moves according to His Word revealed to us.
Have you been in a situation where you need God to avenge you?
Have you ever been cheated by someone, a system, or life, or do you generally just need restoration with some compensation?
I was so glad and elated by God’s Word in Luke 14: 6-8. I read it in different translations. Let’s check Message
Luke 18:6-8 (MSG) Then the Master said, “Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?”
I feel like this year, God is set to do what only He can do -the Jehovah Sabaoth, the man of war, the God that vindicates, the God of justice.
The only solution to injustice is not to fight or lobby or complain or get discouraged or depressed and despondent, the only solution is to cry to the Lord.
How do we cry? In the NKJV, we see the answer.
Luke 18:7 (NKJV) And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
The elect must cry to God DAY AND NIGHT.
If we can table our request for God to show us Mercy and vindicate us night and day, He promises to work justice for us.
Remember you are just a cry day and night away from God bringing you restoration and compensation.
Prayer Storm in the morning and Praise Storm at night afford us this opportunity. The Lord will hear our different cries and answer us in Jesus’ mighty name as we do this.
Forgiveness is one special gift we have graciously received from God. God instructs us to forgive ourselves and also extend forgiveness to others who offend us. Let’s see the dictionary meaning of forgiveness. I believe understanding what forgiveness is will help us in forgiving others. Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance towards a person who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.
This morning, we will look at 10 benefits of forgiveness in marriage.
Emotional Healing: Forgiveness and not holding onto past hurts and resentment heal emotions, promoting a healthy mindset and helping us move forward in marriage.
Promotes Healthy Communication: Couples are better able to communicate freely and openly, leading them to be more vulnerable with each other. Resentment blocks communication channels.
Improves Intimacy: Forgiveness breeds more intimacy, while unforgiveness breeds resentment, strife, grudges, and bitterness, all of which are intimacy blockers.
Better Understanding: There is better understanding when couples forgive, knowing that they are not perfect and are subject to making mistakes and hurting their spouse.
Resilience: Forgiveness strengthens the bond between couples. When forgiveness is genuine, their commitment to each other deepens, and they are able to face any challenges in the future.
Better Atmosphere: Forgiveness creates a loving atmosphere where unity and joy are present, and there’s no animosity and strife.
Marital Fulfillment: Forgiveness gives a sense of fulfillment in marriage where you feel loved and not judged.
Reduces Stress and Tension: Forgiveness will reduce the tension and stress caused by unforgiveness. Couples will enjoy a happier, freer, and more loving marriage.
Children are known to be better, healthier, smarter, and more emotionally stable when parents don’t have resentment towards each other.
Increases Empathy: Forgiveness helps couples to see things better from each other’s perspective and understand one another better, embracing their differences.
Overall, forgiveness helps couples live better, achieve more results as couples, and enables the Holy Spirit to work better in their midst.
Let’s see what the Bible says about forgiveness:
Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
God will strengthen us to walk in forgiveness in Jesus’ mighty name.
