Speak to Your Storms

During the past week, Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Cuba, Florida, and the Carolinas. However, there were reports of believers whose homes were miraculously spared. The mainstream media predicted the hurricane would hit the Tampa Bay area but diverted to the south. I believe that was the result of extra prayer meetings The River Church (and probably other fellowships) had where they spoke against this storm.

On May 22, 2011, a tornado hit north Minneapolis where I’d been staying with friends. I wasn't even aware a tornado touched down in the area until hours after coming home from a downtown bike ride. An air raid siren had been wailing but I didn't think much of it because it wasn't very loud. I figured it was due to bad weather out in the suburbs...not 20 blocks away!  

Meanwhile, my host had slept in late and was awakened by the siren. In response, he simply rebuked the tornado. It lifted within five seconds! Five minutes later the sun came out and there was beautiful weather the rest of the day. After my host posted this testimony on his Facebook page, several of his friends shared similar praise reports of seeing storms disappear after speaking to them.

Just in case you are skeptical of testimonies like this, here’s one you can see for yourself.  Two years before, the late Jeff Jansen saw a tornado approaching his ministry headquarters in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. You can hear Jeff speak and then watch the storm dissipate in this video…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNVSP8o-CyA&t=28s

Jesus said in John 14:12, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” This includes speaking to storms that threaten our lives. Look at Mark 4…

37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

38 But He [Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 

40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

On the other hand, we might find ourselves in storms due to our disobedience (remember Jonah?) or someone else’s like the centurion and the ship’s crew that ignored the Apostle Paul’s warning in Acts 27:10. Despite the resulting shipwreck, Paul and his fellow passengers all escaped safely to land.

Until Jesus returns to set up His millennial reign, unstable weather will continue occurring throughout the world. So the next time a storm comes near your dwelling, remind yourself of the Greater One who lives in you. If you have confidence that you are in the will of God, then there is no need to panic. Speak to your storms!

“When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.” - Proverbs 10:25 (NLT)