In the eye of the hurricane

By Jennifer Moreno

Everyone at some point in their lives have experienced difficult circumstances. We all have a story to tell, we each have gone through something difficult in our lives that we all can relate to.

Bad things happen to all of us, no one is particularly more special than another. But through these bad situations we can find the strength within us, these situations build us up, builds our character, and in return we become empathetic to others. We all go through similar problems – such as family and friends enduring marital affairs, relatives being sentenced to jail, unemployment, sickness and death.

In the midst of such hardships, it’s easy to doubt that G-d can redeem the pain, recover what was lost, and heal all that’s broken. But the truth is, G-d uses all things for good. Roman 8:28 says – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

All of these hardships happen to all of us because it is just a part of life. But one thing is for sure, if you turn to the Lord, He will help you come of it victorious. He will help you remain in the eye of the hurricane in the middle of all the chaos, he’ll help you find peace in the middle of it all.

God uses those difficult circumstances in our lives to bring us closer to him. Sometimes only in moments of difficulty it is when we reach out to G-d. When we realize there is no way out and we can’t do it ourselves, we look to Him in our desperation. That is what G-d wants, he wants us to depend on him at all times and to trust Him.

Sadly that’s not what always happens to people though, more people are led astray by their circumstances than any other thing — they think that if their circumstances are not changing, then it must be happening because G-d did it to them and they’re quick to blame Him.

But that’s not the case, as we see in the story of JOB in the Bible, Job was a blameless Holy man, a servant of G-d. But he lost everything and his family was killed. Those terrible circumstances weren’t happening to him because he was sinning in his life. These circumstances were a plan of Satan to get Job to turn away from God and many times that can happen to us because the enemy is working behind the scenes. And as I said before it can also just be life taking its course.

Whatever the reason it may be for whatever is happening to us, there is always one thing we should remember. We must always turn to G-d and never away from him during these times.

G-d uses circumstances to speak to us, for instance, what you see in your circumstances and what you hear through prayer and the church will line up with what God is telling you in the Bible.

And other times G-d uses circumstances in our lives to get our attention — this is especially true for people who are not reading God’s word or who are avoiding God in their lives completely. He will use circumstances — people, places, things, incidents — in our lives to get our attention and to clue us in that G-d is talking to us.

The key to understanding the circumstances of your lives is to have a Godly perspective and to focus on G-d and not on what you are going through. And don’t make the mistake to let your circumstances or situations dictate what you think G-d can or can’t do in your life.

Sometimes these times of suffering are needed for us to transition to something else, to become better people, to get closer to G-d. Don’t fear what G-d is doing in your life, but trust Him and listen for His voice to lead you down the path he wants you to go. Pray that G-d places you in the eye of the hurricane.

Lastly, when all is not going well and you have no more strength to go on, remember these two verses that helped me get through a lot of my sorrows.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

G-d bless you always!