Saturday, January 23, 2010

Stepping Stones: Are You a Storm-Chaser?

Transformational Tip

Storm-chasing was a topic made popular by the movie, Tornado, where it depicted people, professionals and amateurs alike, who literally chased life-endangering storms. These types of people are actually drawn to the storms. Most do it to take once in a lifetime photos…others do it for the thrill and the danger…adrenaline junkies

As writers for Stepping Stones Devotionals we often reference “storms” in our lives. Times of turbulence, anxiety, darkness and pending doom. The general connotation is that storms come out of nowhere and hit us when we least expect them…that we have no storm early-warning system.

There is a certain group of people (I have been one myself in the past) that actually create and chase life’s storms. They make conscience choices that lead them right into the eye of a storm…and they repeatedly make those same bad choices. Not only do they create storms for themselves, they create storms for all those around them.

It’s my belief that some storms arrive without warning that we cannot avoid; catastrophic sickness, a car accident, a fallen economy impacting our jobs. But there are also storms created by our bad decisions. Of course we know that the enemy is constantly trying to influence us to make bad, life and soul damaging, choices; but we must also accept that we were created with this beautiful thing called free will…we always have choices.

Today, examine yourself. Explore whether or not that you are a storm-chaser. Do you make choices that yet again place you smack in the eye of a storm? Think what choices you might want to make to avoid a storm…think how you might create your own great weather. WITHIN REACH will help you examine your decisions, helping you make great weather, not storms in your life.

Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community about chasing storms.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I humble myself under Your almighty hand. As I truthfully examine my past actions, I am guilty of creating and chasing storms. I no longer want to seek storms, but know that You are my lighthouse in the storm I cannot avoid. Help me Lord to stop chasing storms and chase You instead…Help me run away from storms by constantly setting my compass toward You. I pray in the name of my early-warning system, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!

The Truth
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7