Life can be hard. Sometimes you go through seasons that are particularly difficult. While the winds of destruction may be swirling all around us, Paul reminds us that we may be in the storm but the storm should never be within us. We have the prince of peace abiding in us.

Sunday, I felt the Lord correct me. He said, “You have been crying out for an encounter. But I want to do more. I want to in-dwell. I want to take up residence in you.” When we recognize and value the abiding presence of Jesus within us, we can say like Paul: “We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed,” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:8-9‬ ‭NET‬‬) Because within me is the One with every answer, every resource I need to calm this storm and restore any destruction it caused.

Therefore, we do not despair. We know that these storms, while not authored by God, will be used by God (if we let him) to produce in us a greater glory.

Friends, allow inside of you to be a no storm zone.