Hurricane Matthew October 6, 2016

² Count it all joy, my brothers,^[b] when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-3 ESV 


^{33 "}I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 ESV

On September 25, meteorologists began to monitor a weather event far out in the Atlantic Ocean.  Matthew received its name on September 28 and officially became a hurricane on September 29.  Since then it has caused destruction and death in the Caribbean and is headed for the east coast of the United States where upwards of two million people have been urged to evacuate and move inland.  

While there will likely be millions of dollars worth of property damage, the loss of life should be minimal thanks to all of the early evacuation warnings.  For those who plan on riding out the storm, the internet offers many suggestions on how to prepare for Matthew's arrival.




 

If only we had the benefit of early warnings when life's storms were in the offing.  Rather than the Weather Channel we could search a "Life's Gonna' Get Rough" site and find out in advance about our company's downsizing, the colon cancer, that dryer fire that destroys most of the house.  But we are not afforded that luxury.  If we wait until life turns ugly to draw close to God, we may find our faith lacking in times of greatest need.

Floridians are frantically preparing for the upcoming storm.  Stock piling supplies, covering windows, sandbagging, and evacuating.  They know the storm is coming.  They know when.  It even has a name.

While we don't know the intensity, time, or name of life's next storm, we know it will come.  The Bible promises hardship.  How many of us wait until "Matthew" is creating the storm surge before we spend time on our knees and in His Word?  It is during times of calm that we should prepare for the hurricanes.  Prayer time can strengthen our relationship with Abba Father.  Bible study increases our knowledge of His power, grace, and mercy.  Meditation can renew our faith by recalling to mind His faithfulness in times of previous struggle.

Don't wait until the storm is knocking down power lines in your back yard to turn to Him.  Be prepared.