It's Not Over UNTIL God Says It's Over

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, 

so that it was now full.

Mark 4:37

We are living in a time when the saints of God have all but given up; they are defeated, discouraged and downtrodden as if they have forgotten or don't know what the word of God tells us.  There are many, many scriptures but these two readily come to mind to strengthen and sustain:

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10

We are in direct conflict with God when we succumb to discouragement and depression over the difficult situations of our life.  We insult God when we show Him that we don't trust Him to deliver us from the storms of life.

Instead of whining, crying, having a pity-party, quitting God, take this time to talk to God and ask Him to reveal to you what the storm in your life; and now sadly, the storms of the world tht is impacting us all in detrimental ways, is about and what He wants you to do in the midst of it.  

Worship God instead of whining to God; 

acknowledge His sovereignty in all things and situations 

- including yours!

Remember, 

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.  Psalms 62:11

Nothing happens that God does allow or wills to happen.

Another thing to understand is that storms in our life will come just as the word indicates.  How we handle the storm will determine how we come out of it.

Understanding why er are in the storm is crucial.  Suffering is sometimes compared to a natural storm. When we suffer, we experience a storm spiritually speaking. This storm may affect us spiritually, mentally, physically, materially, or emotionally.

The Bible tells of a storm which the disciples of Jesus experienced.  

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.  And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.  And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?  Mark 4:35-41. 

This storm was an attack of Satan. Jesus had told the disciples to go to the other side. Jesus was with them in the boat.  Satan was trying to prevent them from reaching the shore because of the miraculous works that were to be done in the country of the Gadarenes (Mark 5). Jesus took authority over the storm. He rebuked the powers of the enemy. Calm returned to the sea and they continued their journey unhindered.  

A storm of Satan is anything that tries to hinder us from fulfilling 

the will of God for our life. 

It is not suffering resulting from disobedience. Neither is this kind of suffering according to the will of God. God does not want anything to hinder His plan for us. When we face this type of storm, exercise authority over the enemy. Jesus has given us authority in His name over every power of Satan.  

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  Mark 16:17-8

It is noted that there were other small ships with them.   Because these other ships were following Jesus, they were also protected. Surround yourself not only in the word and will of God, but with those who share your same spiritual beliefs! 

There are two other accounts of natural storms recorded in the Bible which illustrate

®     suffering by chastisement for sin and 
®     suffering according to the will of God. 

Read the account of Jonah and the storm in Jonah l. and the account of Apostle Paul and the storm in Acts 27. Then compare the two: 

Jonah Suffering by chastisement for sin	Paul Suffering according to the will of God
Jonah put himself in the storm	Paul was in the storm through no fault of his own
He paid the fare to sail	He tried to prevent them from sailing
He was the cause of the storm	He was the remedy, not the cause
Jonah slept during the storm	Paul fasted and prayed
God’ blessing was not with Jonah	God’s blessing was with Paul
The crew was fearful	The crew was of good cheer
To be saved:	To be saved:
Jonah must be cast out of the ship	All must abide in the ship

There are differences between going through a storm of life within God's will and experiencing a storm out of the will of God. When we go through a storm out of the will of God, it is a situation which we create. For example, a believer who marries an unbeliever will experience trouble because they have violated the Scriptural principle of not being equally yoked.

When we cause a storm, it is because we violate God's will and are disobedient to His commands. Often we are not even aware of the seriousness of our situation. We sleep spiritually while the storm increases its fury around us. God's blessing is not on us, and those around us grow fearful. This storm is not an attack of Satan. It is chastisement from God who loves us and desires to bring us back into conformity to His will. We can confess promises of "power over the enemy" but it will not change the situation.

When we recognize a storm of suffering as one resulting from disobeying God's voice, there is only one remedy:   Repent, confess, forsake (if necessary) and ask forgiveness from God and walk in obedience to His will!

But when we suffer according to the will of God, the situation is different. We suffer through no fault or sin of our own. We can be a remedy to the problems around us instead of a cause. Like Apostle Paul, we can assume spiritual leadership because God's blessing is upon us. We can bring encouragement to others because we are a solution to the storm instead of the cause. We should not bail out of the ship or run from the trouble. We must abide in the "ship" of this type of suffering for it is the will of God.

Though it may look as if all is lost and you are facing defeat, remember Jesus' words:

. . . be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

And remember, don't count yourself out, it's not over until God says it's over!

(Biblical Studies)

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