Do you know that God actually expects you and I to thrive and flourish even in our “wilderness” season of life? Do you know He asks us to settle in and make home while going through the storms of life and still enjoy ourselves? What do you say? I am glad you asked, let’s dig in.

What God Expects Us to do When Facing Storms in our Life

As I read through the book of Jeremiah chapter 29:5 – 14, I could hear the Holy Spirit speak to me through it as it related to a tough season in my life. Jeremiah 29: 5-7 says

“Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare” (NLT).

I once read it narrated this way in a devotional: though our circumstances may look bleak, our confinement, limitations, captivity will be limited, as in it will not last long. So settle in and make a home away from home for yourselves in the wilderness. As absurd as it sounds, look for and enjoy the moments of joy, even in this place. It won’t be long before the worst is over.

Therefore, during our trials, after raising the problem to God in prayer, we need to then ask Him for grace to patiently wait in hope and holy expectation of His victory for us and for the allocated time for the trial to pass, for it will surely pass. Like the saying goes, “this too shall pass.”

In the same book of Jeremiah 29, in verse 6 we are charged that even during our trials or in the midst of it, we should never decrease. We are expected to increase, to multiply only. We are expected to flourish in every area despite the wilderness we might be in or storms that we might be facing. We are expected to thrive despite the situation we are in; and not just thrive in material possessions, but also thrive spiritually.

That means our faith, trust, and prayers should not decrease as well. Our quiet time with God should not decrease. Our peace, joy, strength, and even our finances should not decrease. The way we don’t decrease is by meditating and decreeing the word of God over our lives, praying without ceasing, and offering a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 in the Amplified (AMP) version says

“In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

We are not even to remain the same way we came into the storm. God wants us at all times to grow and prosper no matter what is happening around us or in the world. That’s why the bible says

“when others say there is a casting down, we shall say there is a lifting up” (Job 22:29).

Then further down in verse 11 which I know by heart and would often quote, but I never really understood the context of it until the Holy Spirit revealed it to me.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

But before that, in verse 10 we are reminded that God has allocated time for every trial in our lives to remain. However, after that time has passed, He steps in to fulfill His promises to us.

When God said He knows the plans that He has for you, plans of good and not of evil, to give you hope and an expected end, He is saying that He has got you covered! No matter what situation you are facing, no matter how huge and scary it looks, no matter how it looks in the physical, like that situation was sent to destroy you and take you out, listen, God is saying that the situation is not meant for evil. God is saying that when He sent or allowed the situation, He wasn’t thinking evil thoughts about you; in fact, He was thinking good, wonderful thoughts about you that is why He allowed it. Listen to me, that means that God is getting ready to display His power in your life in a good way! Praise the Lord, hallelujah!

When you find yourself in a storm, it means God is getting ready to display His love, His power, His miracle, signs and wonders in your life as long as you partner with Him. The situation is not going to destroy you or take you out. The situation is not going to last forever. There is a set time that God has allocated for it and after it reaches its expiration date, God gives it an eviction notice and kicks it right out of your life not a minute later!

So cheer up, smile, laugh, and enjoy life even in the storm! Plant gardens and eat the food they produce even in the storm! Grow and prosper even in the storm! Multiply and don’t dwindle away even in the storm! The devil is defeated and God is in control. No matter what happens in your life or the storms that you face, remember to always choose joy and also remember that there is a difference between happiness and joy.

In the second part of this post, we will discuss if it is “okay” to have fun and enjoy yourself during the stormiest seasons of your life.

Until next time, remember, keep your hope in God for He loves you and has promised to never leave you nor forsake you!

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