Not in the middle of the storm
Not just before calamity strikes
And not even after it all comes down
But way before the attack
What we’ve stored in the heart
Comes through the mouth
When we’re walking through the storm.
Faith shines the brightest when fanned
While walking through the valleys of death
And allies of losses that seem irreparable.

“What an admirable faith!” We marvel when we watch men and women who respond to the storms of life like the woman of Shunem. It truly is admirable and will continue to remain just that except we take the steps to nurture our faith like they did so that when a snapshot of our faith is taken amidst adversity, it will be as admirable.

Truth is: God cannot be mocked. Whatever we sow into our hearts when things are going good is what we will reap when things fall apart. There is no magic in faith. Times may change but God does not. He will continue to honor those who honor Him and His Word. If we are not taking the time when things are going well to fill our hearts with God’s Word, there will be scarcity in our souls when we are caught up in a storm. Faith comes by taking in the Word of God. If we don’t have the Word laid up inside, we will have none to comfort us when we are all alone with the rubbles of life after the storm. Except we have consumed this Word, enjoyed it in our quiet places, it will be hard to churn it out when life is squeezing so hard.

If a sponge has been soaked in polluted water, there is no way applying pressures to that same sponge will squeeze out clean water. When life squeezes, what is inside comes out. At that point, it is an automated response because you have no time to garnish and make anything fancy and impressive. If life has been stored up in the heart, the pressures of the storm will squeeze it out in difficult times. If death is all the heart has been fed, that is what will naturally flow out. And if your tank is empty, you will have no defense against the storm and your reactions will shock even you. If you desire your automated response to adversity to be God’s Word, now is the time to be intentional and diligent about feeding your heart with God’s word.

Life is tough but we will overcome by the blood that has already been shed for us and by the Word of our testimony. But we must have that Word inside for it to come to the outside when it becomes needful. Every time you get, take in the Word. Every chance you get, chew on the Word you have taken in. If we make this a habit, the Word will not depart but will always be in us and will come out of us when storms of life strike. If we want the snapshot of our faith to be beautiful, honorable, edifying, irrespective of where we are and what we are going through, let us devote time to feed our hearts richly with this Word that is able to save and preserve us. Amen.

Blessings
Glory!