Going through a storm in life?

Even though people are not physically inside a whale, they may have a “whale-sized” problem, challenge, or heartache they are facing in life.

It’s easy to drown in life’s problems, or to lose hope, as life’s “waves” engulf you.

Problems can wrap themselves tightly around your mind, spirit, and heart like seaweed, leaving you feeling trapped and discouraged….and eventually swallow you whole.

Problems in life are not always bad. In fact, they can motivate us to turn back to God & His ways and powerfully reveal “idols” we hold higher than God in our lives.

Idols come in many forms: people, relationships, self, entertainment, career, hobbies, etc.

Even problems can become idols.

Many of these things are not a sin—until we love, adore, crave, and desire them more than God…or we focus on our problems more than God.

When we love & worship our “idols” more than God, or we lack faith or trust in God pertaining to our problems, bigger problems arise. When we choose to “cheat on God” with our idols, or doubt God & His goodness, we actively choose to turn our back on His mercies and favor.

So what do you do if you’ve ran from God, sinned greatly against Him, or have many idols in your life?

God gives us very specific things we can do during life’s storms to repent, restore our first Love, and receive new mercies:

1. Cry out & call to Him

2. Look to Him for answers

3. Remember Him and His past goodness

4. Earnestly pray to Him

5. Put God first and restore your love relationship with Him (give up sinful idols, as well as put other idols in their proper place–anything you love, adore, or enjoy more than God…rearrange those idols, relationships & priorities to where they are in their proper place)

6. Praise God through songs of praise

7. Fulfill all vows you’ve made to God

Many of life’s problems are created due to having “idols,” and sin in our lives. Not all, but many.
Spend time with God today, repent, and ask Him for His help & wisdom to get your life sorted out so He truly is first place from this day forward.

He’s worth it!

He loves you and genuinely cares about every intricate detail of your life!

No matter what you’ve done, no matter how far away you’ve ran, He is waiting for you with open arms!

© 2014 Kim Niles/Grief Bites

Jonah 2:1-10, “Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me! You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’ “I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.” Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.”

Gratitude & blessings,

Kim

©2015 Grief Bites. All rights reserved.

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Resources~

Getting Your Breath Back After Life Knocks It Out of You (book): Click here for book

Kim’s blog: http://www.griefbites.com

Connect on Facebook by “liking” page: http://www.facebook.com/GettingYourBreathBackAfterGrief
FREE YouVersion reading plans:

1. Grief Bites: Finding Treasure In Hardships: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/912-grief-bites-finding-treasure-in-hardships 

2. Grief Bites: Doubt Revealed: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/954-grief-bites-doubt-revealed 

3. Grief Bites: A New Approach To Growing Through Grief: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/862-grief-bites 

4. Grief Bites: Hope For The Holidays: (Coming November 4, 2015)