The Storm of the Century

When the weather forecasters said:  “This is going to be the storm of the century…” I just haven’t been able to get that statement out of my mind. 

I sense there is a spiritual truth that God wants me to share in light of such a dire meteorological forecast.

 Let me explain.

 Just over a week ago, the weather folks were predicting that a snow and ice storm would travel across the country leaving behind a significant accumulation.

 Two days prior to the arrival of this storm in a neighboring state above us, I received an email from one of our vendors who was warning us that their offices might be closed due to this weather front. She said, “They are saying this is the storm of the century.”

 I’m now writing this in retrospect and yes, they had some bad weather in that particular area. . .but it certainly wasn’t the storm of the century. . .if so, we’re not talking 100 years. . .as this century is only ten years old.

 The thing that stirs me. . .is not the accuracy or inaccuracy of the forecast but the fear that such a statement creates when it is continually repeated.

 The only people who enjoy this type of prediction would be owners of businesses that profit from inclement weather. The rest of the folks are out emptying the shelves in panic and anticipated fear.

 Before I go any further let me state some obvious facts.

 1.         Serious weather warnings are not to be taken lightly.

 2.         Proper pre-cautions should always be taken . . . insulating outside pipes, etc.

 3.         Ice and snow can be very hazardous due to fallen limbs and power lines.

 4.         It’s foolish not to protect employees and family members traveling to and from work.

 5.         It’s important to have adequate food in your home in the event of power

            outages or highways that are impassible.

 I do believe in and practice proper preparation for emergencies.

 Having said that, let’s address the spiritual dimension of continually repeating something that holds such dire ramifications.

 First, continually repeating a statement that prompts fear is unhealthy, spiritually and otherwise.

 Fear is not only evil and contagious but it can also be de-habilitating.

 2 Timothy 1:7 in the Amplified Bible says:

 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”

 Second, repeating such a negative and omnibus statement will adversely affect those around you whose faith may not be as strong as yours.

 It’s important to realize that your words have consequences not only for you but for others.

 Proverbs 18:20-21 in the Amplified Bible says:

 “A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil]. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].^”

 While you may be balanced in your faith. . .others may not be and make no mistake about it. . .the enemy is ever ready to exploit anything you say.

 Third, if you speak a thing often enough it becomes part of who you are and how you think.

 The problem with thinking negative thoughts . . . is that you will ultimately express them verbally.  

 Matthew 12:34 says:

 “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

 The New Living Translation of Matthew 12:34 says:

 “You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”

 Did you catch that?

 “Whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”

 Matthew 12:35 says:

 “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”

 Let me break it down and give you the anatomical flow. Heart. . .Head. . .Mouth.

 Fourth, your words have lasting consequences.

 Romans 4:17 in the New Living Translation says:

 ". . . And this promise is from God himself, who makes the dead live again and speaks of future events with as much certainty as though they were already past.”

 The Message Bible translation of Matthew 12:36-37 says:

 “I promise you that on the day of judgment, everyone will have to account for every careless word they have spoken. ³⁷On that day they will be told that they are either innocent or guilty because of the things they have said.”

 Fifth, if you lost your electricity during this storm last week. . .if you were unable to go to work. . .if you were involved in an automobile accident as a result of adverse road conditions. . .then you may remember this as your storm of the century.

 Although I would never tell you to ignore or not prepare for any unfavorable situation, weather or otherwise, I would suggest that spiritually . . . your verbal and mental power would be better spent speaking to the situations that you want to create as opposed to accepting someone else’s view of what is or isn’t going to happen.

 Mark 11:24 in the New Living Translation says:

 “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

 The scripture says there is life and death in the power of the tongue and we have the ability through the Word of God and the unction of the Holy Spirit to shape and create our own destiny.

 Sixth and finally, always remember. . .that greater works than these shall you do.

 Mark 4:38-42 in the Amplified Bible says:

 “³⁸But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing?

    ³⁹And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness).

    ⁴⁰He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?

    ⁴¹And they were filled with great awe and feared exceedingly and said one to another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?”

 John 14:12 in the Amplified Bible says:

 “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.”

 God has given us the ability to change weather conditions that affect us. Believe me, I’ve done it on airplanes and I’ve done it to protect the property in my area of influence.   And I know plenty to others who exercise this authority also.

 The only storm of the century that you shall be involved in . . . is one where there’s a mighty, rushing wind (the Holy Spirit) as the later rain gives you prophetic utterance and power. . .creating in you a spiritual tornado that’s wiping out all the works of the enemy. . .and further creating in you, and those around you, a path covered with snow (sins forgiven and white as snow.)

 Now that’s what I call a weather forecast . . . one making you the storm of the century.