You Are Not The Storm

I’m probably going to lose readers over this. So be it. I’ve seen dozens of variations of this I Am The Storm meme get passed around the socialverse. The latest variation shifted to something with wolves: If you throw me to the wolves, remember the wolves come when I call.

🤦🏻‍♂️

I hate to be the one to say it, but you’re not the storm. In fact, in all likelihood, if you’re ever a storm, it’s not the good kind, and you’re probably stirring up dust and damage that’s doing no good for anyone. And the whole wolf thing… if you call the wolves, it means you are a wolf.

Or a werewolf or something.

Believer, let me cut to the chase. If you think you need to be a storm, or a wolf, or a bear, or anything of the sort, you’ve missed one of the greatest truths.

The LORD is the Divine Warrior!

17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
– Isaiah 59:17 (ESV)

He fights for you.

14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.
-Exodus 14:14 (ESV)

And the armor you are given isn’t yours. It’s His armor, it’s His sword, and you are only told to defend against attacks. No offense.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
– Ephesians 6:13-17 (ESV)

If there is any offense, it would be to pray in the Spirit and renew our minds.

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
– Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
– Romans 12:2 (ESV)

The real aim is that it isn’t you but Christ responding to everything that happens to you.

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
– Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

None of the victory has anything to do with you because it’s all Him through you.

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
– 1 John 4:4 (ESV)

Keep Calm, Carry On

So, in the end, our aim is to find peace in the storm, not be the storm. Trust the LORD in chaos, not your ability to dominate the chaos. In the end, many of us can’t even dominate a slice of pizza, much less the chaos of the world.

I’m not here to tell you you’re weak. I’m here to tell you that you’re missing one of the greatest blessings that we have in Christ by trying to be so strong.

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
– 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)

This morning, I beg you to consider whether you’re letting Jesus face the chaos for you or are you trying to fight the devil all by yourself. Are you raging with sound and fury that signifies nothing, or are you letting the Word of Christ dwell in your richly so that you’re renewed inwardly every day and able to know the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God?

Instead of calling the wolves and being the storm, remember you’re a sheep and follow your Shepherd.

Psalm 23

A PSALM OF DAVID.
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.