So toward the end of last week, I believe the Lord put this statement in my heart to ponder on, “The calm before the storm.” In fact, it became so persistent I started to research what people who live in areas where hurricanes and tornadoes are frequent do when they know one is going to hit soon. This was followed by a series of questions that came to my mind on what would you If the weather forecasters told you that a storm was coming? Despite a period of calm which could easily fool you into thinking that all was really well if you were privy to the forecast, what would you actually do to practically prepare?
Well, I would make sure that all my windows and doors were really secure and buckled up, make sure that I had gotten rid of any excesses that I did not need in my home and was well stocked up on essential supplies and most importantly that my loved ones were going to be safe, aware and also well prepared.
Let’s face it, most of us have experienced some sort of “storm” in our lives at some point, some that we could see coming, some that showed small signs and some that came totally unexpectedly and ravaged our lives. Some of these storms could be faced in our health and wellbeing, our finances and economy, our relationships or structures of governance and some come to even test the whole core and very foundation of our lives by touching various areas simultaneously like what happened to Job. We could say that Coronavirus has been a storm that has hit and taken the world by surprise. One that has disrupted our lives so much and unfortunately taken the lives of many. Could the story have been different if we had known it was coming, what would we have done differently?
As my personal lesson began, I began to take notes of things I would do if I knew a storm was coming
- Think of the things that I want to see again when you get to the other side of the storm and keep them safe and secured. Important documents, evidence and proofs of ownership and most importantly loved ones.
- Get rid of anything that will simply cause confusion and excess weight and unnecessary responsibility and financial commitment in your life.
- Position yourself strategically so you will have minimum disruption from the interruptions that come with a storm and you will increase your propensity to enjoy a better experience during and after.
- Keep yourself prayed up and strong in your spirit man, your full armour of God from Ephesians 6 on, so you will be able to help those who are feeling lost and had not got the memo or warning. Feed your spirit man on the truth, the word of life, it carries the power to resuscitate and is able to bring dead things to life.
- Also keep yourself strong in your health, becoming physically and emotionally fit. Taking time to rest, especially in the Lord, that is and will be the greatest source of your strength.
- Prepare practically. When there are power cuts, you need to have the food basics available and perhaps some. unconventional methods of obtaining light and power as well as your basic medical supplies and source of clean water there- it is a time to keep things simple and keep yourself light.
- Stay connected to God so you can note where you need to be and where you have no business going to. You do not want to get caught up in the wrong place doing the wrong thing at the wrong time.
The calm before the storm is a grace period we all get to PREPARE PREPARE PREPARE! Get back to basics, have things in order and look at the core of what things are the most important that we can and should look at and would like to see on the other side of the event.
Noah was a man who was told of a flood coming and was given the specific structure that He should focus on building to allow himself and his household as well as pairs of every species to be saved. The people of that day did not see it coming but because there was a “calm before the storm,” they were deceived with their perceptions and perished. They were not in communion with God to gain the privy insight of what they needed to be doing in that time as well as what behaviours and “old nature ways” needed to be repented for so they could walk on high ground.
When you have a relationship with the one who knows all things, everything in your life is built on the foundation of the rock of ages, Jesus Christ who will cause you to be able to stand when the storm comes because you lean on His ways which are higher than our ways and lead to life.
Matthew 7 vs TPT 24-27 “Everyone who hears my teaching and applies it to his life can be compared to a wise man who built his house on an unshakable foundation. 25 When the rains fell and the flood[l] came, with fierce winds beating upon his house, it stood firm because of its strong foundation. “But everyone who hears my teaching and does not apply it to his life can be compared to a foolish man who built his house on sand. When it rained and rained and the flood came, with wind and waves beating upon his house, it collapsed and was swept away.”[m]
You will not be swept away by the storms of this life that may be coming. You will rise above every challenge and obstacle that may be flung your way. No weapon that is fashioned against you will prosper and in fact, every event that is and will happen to you is working out for your good because you love God and are here on earth to fulfil Gods purposes and assignments! You are an overcomer and carry the victory of the Great I AM inside of you. You are prepared and ready for what the future holds and walk boldly in faith and not fear, knowing that you have a good Heavenly Father who is watching over you and sends you a warning to ready you so you can gird your loins or kwinya kwinya(ready yourself for what is coming in my native Zimbabwean dialect). You are coming out on the other side stronger and intact!
He/she that has an ear, let him/her hear!
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM-A TIME TO PREPARE
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