Storms of adversity

Sermon recap:

SUCKED IN
WASHED UP and
BLOWN OVER

The pastor first shared this story:
You can also read this article.

Chippy was sitting peacefully in his cage one day when his owner decided the best way to clean the bird cage was with a cannister vacuum cleaner. She took the attachment off the end of the hose and began to clean the bottom of the cage. Chippy was sitting nervously on his perch with growing concern about what was going on below him.

Suddenly, the telephone rang and the owner turned to answer it. No sooner had she said ‘hello' than she heard Chippy screech and disappear from his perch. She dropped the phone, turned off the vacuum cleaner, and opened the cannister as quickly as possible. There was Chippy - alive - stunned, mind you, but alive.

The bird was covered with dust and soot. She grabbed Chippy and dashed to the bathroom and ran hot and then cold water over him. She saw that Chippy was cold and shivering. The hair dryer was at hand, so she took Chippy by his feet, held him upside down and blow-dried him with hot air.

A few days later, the reporter who originally fielded the story called to ask how Chippy was doing. The owner said: "Well, Chippy looks okay, but he doesn't sing much anymore. He just sort of sits and stares".

SUCKED IN
WASHED UP and
BLOWN OVER.

Is that how you're feeling today?

Mark 4:39, 40

You may be facing the storms of family adversity. There's a storm, there's chaos.
May I remind you that God is with you!

Biblical examples:
Cain and Abel
Joseph sold into slavery, then a storm of false accusations in Potiphar's house

You may do all manner of right things in church, but that doesn't mean you're exempt from the storms.

"But the Lord was with Joseph....."

It doesn't matter what people have done to you, falsely accused you, and have done evil against you.
YOU CAN CHOOSE TO NOT BECOME BITTER!

No matter what storm comes your way, the God of heaven has PROMISED to be by your side. 

You may be facing financial agony.

God has promised that the righteous will NEVER be forsaken.
God has promised to supply ALL your needs.
TRUST HIM! God will be there.

You may be facing storms of physical affliction.
You may hear the awful word 'cancer'. Or your child is rushed to the hospital. And you wonder 'WHY'?

God may not heal you like He heals others, but take courage that the God of Heaven WILL BE WITH YOU!
He will give you faith and peace.

When I listened to the numerous stories of how God worked in the pastor's life, I exclaimed "That's my God!"
He is worthy to be praised.

And what better way to praise Him than when going through extreme hardship. Oh, it's very hard to keep your chin up, let alone praise God. But trust Him and allow Him to work His mighty wonders in you. He WILL be there. Then praise Him. Ultimately, that's what God wants. Tell others what He has done for you.