Storm Chaser

Hi everyone! I have been off the race for the summer, and am going back to lead in the fall, but I want to share with you what I have learned this summer adjusting back home from the race:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Being off the race this summer has been tough. It has brought its challenges. But as I walk through it all with God’s truth engraved on my heart, there is a beauty to it all. I begin to understand more of what it looks like to consider everything as pure joy. 

I have learned to see the beauty in the storms. To even dance amidst the rain. In the discomfort I can rejoice. I can stand firm in knowing the promises of my Father. The verse above has helped change my perspective a lot. That our momentary troubles achieve eternal glory. As we pursue God, the troubles we face produce eternal glory! 

When I read this it makes me want to seek more of God’s will. So often we want to run from the pain. Run from the struggles. We could be embarrassed. Ashamed. Afraid. Worried. Doubtful. Knowing that my troubles I am walking through produce eternal glory stirs up a great hope within my Spirit. That I want to pray boldly for God’s will to be done in me. That His will can be to bring the tough times, because He knows that I will rely on Him to get through them, and that I want to partner in building His kingdom!

Don’t get me wrong… I am not telling you to go stir up trouble, or self-create storms so that you can grow from them. I’m saying that storms should not be run from. That the storms in life that God wants you to go through should be approached with a joyous anticipation. That we as Christians can run towards them. Even non-believers find growth from adversity!

Around the world, the people I meet who are the most on fire for God are the ones that hold an eternal perspective through all of their circumstances. Most of them have been through a lot! A life of comfort and ease doesn’t get you very far. But a life that has many storms teaches you how to overcome. To push on. To depend on God’s strength because yours isn’t enough. 

The storms get hard. They get discouraging. It is important to find people around you to encourage and spur you on in your faith. But I have a great reassurance in my heart that the troubles we face bear sweet fruit later on. Because we have to be squeezed before we turn into wine. We have to walk through the fire before we are refined into Gold. Whatever struggles you are working through, pray to God about them. Ask Him where He is. What you are learning. How you are growing. Fix your eyes on things above, and the eternal perspective of God will bring you peace and joy within your spirit. 

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Thank you to all who are continuing to follow my journey! Your prayers and support have been such a blessing!