Disease and destruction are part of this present world. My two brothers and a cousin are dead because someone chose to drive drunk and drove through an intersection hitting them head-on.

Second – SELF many times brings severe consequences from the choices we or others make. Sometimes God disciplines His children for their own good. (Hebrews 12:3-11) Even Jesus learned obedience by the things he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)

Third – SATAN hates God and God’s children. Jesus said that Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) If you endeavor to do something good for God, don’t be surprised if Satan opposes you. (I Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7) An old saint used to say, “If the devil starts mess’n, know the Lord has a bless’n.” We are to “resist him and stand firm in the faith.”

Fourth – SURRENDER to God’s strength and wisdom comes through suffering in the storms of life. In the book Same Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, we see suffering from two different perspectives. An affluent art dealer and a black sharecropper who became a homeless man share real-life insights concerning the problem of pain and death. Denver Moore, who was homeless for 30 years, said, “Our limitations are God’s opportunities.”

The Apostle Paul, who perhaps suffered more than any Christian throughout history said, “We have this light shining in our hearts . . . we are like fragile clay jars containing this treasure. This makes it clear that our power is from God and not from ourselves” (II Corinthians 4 NLT).

Fifth – SERVICE to others is more authentic, meaningful, and compassionate when you have been where others are. “God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in our trouble so that we can comfort others when they are troubled” (II Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT).

Sixth – The SAVIOR suffered for us. He left us an example to follow in His steps. (I Peter 2:21-24) Jesus went through what we go through. He can empathize with us and help us. There is a shelter in the time of storm. David points us to the one who saves and shelters us in Psalm 91:1, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Read and meditate on the way into the shelter: 1) Dwell in the secret place of His presence (v 1); 2) Declare the Lord as your refuge (v2); 3) Trust in God; 4) Set your love on God (v 14); 5) His faithful promises are your armor and protection (v 4).

The old hymn “A Shelter in the Time of Storm” reminds us, “Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm.” David assures us in God’s Word, “If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you” (Psalm 91:9 NLT).