Romans 8:28

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.

GOD is initiator, GOD causes all things for the good of those who love Him.

GOD Purposes in the storms

*Cleansing – Purifying work of pain

Psalm 119:67-75

67Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept your word.

68You are good, and do good; teach me your statutes.

71It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn your statutes.

72The law of your mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

75I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me.

GOD allows storms to sanctify us, to set us apart, to develop us. Sanctification is continuous.

*Companionship – intimate relationship with GOD. Difficulties and hardships drive us to GOD. GOD will send whatever necessary to get our attention.

John 15:4

4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me.

GOD takes the initiative, He uses the difficulties, hardship and trouble for our good. We run to Him, hide in Him.

Psalm 57:1-3, 7

1Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusts in you: yea, in the shadow of your wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities have passed.

2I will cry unto God most high; unto God who performs all things for me.

3He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

7My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

Psalm 46:1

1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 63:6-8

6When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the night watches.

7Because you have been my help, therefore in the shadow of your wings will I rejoice.

8My soul follows close after you: your right hand upholds me.

GOD does not allow anything in our life that competes with our love, devotion, royalty to Him. If there is He removes those.

We are living, walking expressions of our LORD Jesus.

*Conformity – conform us to image of LORD Jesus Christ

Romans 8:29

29For whom he did foreknow, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Build Christ like character in our life. He sends those storms to our lives in order to accomplish His predestine will to conform us to likeness of LORD Jesus Christ. LORD Jesus lives within us, Spirit of GOD is in us, yield to Him. Starts with salvation till the day we die GOD works within us. He allows those situation and circumstances that necessary till life of LORD Jesus Christ exhibited in our life.

*Conviction – Foundation of life is LORD Jesus Christ. Only when I am tested and tried GOD shows us His faithfulness to us, so we stand unquestionably. These storms makes our convictions. Storms reveals things about us that we wouldn’t discover any other way. Only in the storms our convictions get deepen and made stronger.

Philippians 4:7

7And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

*Comfort- GOD comfort us in order that we may comfort to others. GOD wants to use us, through us. People will find you and ask your storms experiences. Storms are there to equip you to be a servant to somebody else and to make difference in their life. LORD Jesus always gave comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

3Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God.

GOD is initiator. GOD allows pain, hurt suffering in order to equip us to meet people and comfort them in times of their trouble. Storms make us more capable, equipped to be valuable strong servants of GOD to make difference in the life of others because we are expression of GOD. Storm shakes out our disobedience to get our attention to Him because He wants to do His work in other people lives through us.

The strongest the storm and the deepest the valley depends how long I have been going in the wrong direction. He wants to conform us to His image. His disciples were broken until we are broken through the experience of heartache pain and suffering we cannot be useful and helpful to others. He breaks you and gets to your core being, He opens the doors of your heart, you become sensitive.

Because GOD took you through a storm, the valley dark enough and long enough, the pain tense enough and the loneliness immeasurable, now GOD uses you to your potential for the greater purpose He had in mind for you, the greater use you will be to other people. GOD has a purpose. He does just right and puts together what was there now with Spirit of love, humility, tenderness, kindness.

*Conviction – Storm reveals our doubts we learn the truth about GOD what He does for us by living through the storms.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

9And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Lay down your life with conviction of the Truth, if you learn by living it through.

*Change

Acts 9 storm hit Apostle Paul for 3 days he couldn’t see anything. LORD voice, in 3 days He melted him, took blindness, total helplessness to get his attention. The intensity, the length and depth of the valley determined by GOD. The purpose of it will change your life. Storms bring us to GOD’s will, GOD sends storm as an act of love and kindness.