The Storms of Life: Butterflies in Tornados, Roses in Hurricanes
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About this ebook
A collection of short stories, The Storms of Life: Butterflies in Tornadoes and Roses in Hurricanes is an inspirational guide to dealing with lifes storms. Life is saturated with storms, situations and circumstances that bring us to our knees and looking for shelter. The storms in our personal lives are comparable to the raging natural storms that radiate from the earth.
In no other time in history have natural disasters been so publicized; the same goes for the storms of the human experience. From the exploits of a popular fallen athlete to the transgressions of a charismatic minister, with modern technology we have become accustomed to having front row seats to both natural and human storms. We are sometimes forced to participate in the storms of others no knowing how they will overcome their issues and having not a clue as to how we can overcome our own.
Oftentimes we take on our own lifes storms with no guide, no compass, and no shelter; we think we have no protector. But as we travel these roads and seas of life, dealing with storms like hurricanes and tornadoes, we are comforted by knowing that we all have a guide and protector to help deal with the storms of life. But we must learn to trust God!
Shannon Williams
Shannon Williams is married to her loving and supportive husband Pastor Derrick Williams. They are the Co-founders and Pastors of Anointed And Appointed Full Gospel Ministry, located in Chicago, Illinois. Together they have two children, one of which was diagnosed with autism. Pastor Shannon Williams is also a certified teacher, education consultant and certified Reading Specialist. Her passions include teaching, preaching, praying, writing, traveling and encouraging others. Pastor Shannon is available for speaking engagements. Contact her by phone: (708) 824-PRAY ot via email: faithnhope2day@aol.com.
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The Storms of Life - Shannon Williams
Copyright © 2011 Shannon Williams
Author and Creator of Inspiresome1.com, a web/blog site
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.
ISBN: 978-1-4497-2819-9 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4497-2820-5 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-4497-2818-2 (e)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2011917918
Printed in the United States of America
WestBow Press rev. date: 10/05/2011
Contents
INTRO
MONSOON
SANDSTORM
THUNDERSTORM
ELECTRICAL STORM
HURRICANE
TORNADO
CYCLONE
TYPHOON
BLIZZARD/ICE STORM
THE PERFECT STORM
This book is dedicated to my two sons, DaiShawn Javon-Patrick Williams and Shannon Christian Williams.
To all of my family, friends, and everyone else who inspired me to endure and survive my storms, I thank you for blessing me with your prayers and wisdom.
As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall (storm) came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’ He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm (Luke 8:23–24 NIV).
For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed (Psalm 107:25–29, 25 NIV).
TRUSTING GOD … HOLDING ON … LEARNING FROM … BEING STRONG … ENDURING ON.
Storms: the sights, the sounds, the fear. From the beautiful white, delicate, but treacherous snowflakes that float to Earth from the heavens to the spectacular flashes of lightning accompanied by the horrifying, blood-boiling sounds of thunder, we have all experienced them.
Life’s storms: From birth to death, from young to old, from black to white, we all will surely endure them. It could be the sudden death of a loved one or the painful, aching emotions of a broken heart; these storms will come. Like nature’s natural storms, we must heed the warnings, learn from mistakes, trust in God, and hold on in the storms of life.
INTRO
Survival in these days and times in which we must endure the constant distractions of Satan’s vices and the effects of our personal sins, life can be a seemingly never-ending storm. With sex, drugs, peer pressure, the evils of the Internet, and the ever-growing need for money, power, and fame we as Christians have to be vigilant and always prayerful. We must acknowledge the fact that life was never promised to be easy nor carefree, but always victorious. As Christians, we will endure pain, hurt, heartache, stress, and, at times, doubt. There will be times when we will question God’s will for us and our lives—even his very presence.
You see, we are a people set aside for God’s glory, so we are sure to be tested by the Enemy. The minute a wayward child of God decides to change his life, the Enemy hears it, and the heavens rejoice. This announcement triggers an instant war as the Enemy gathers his army for a battle for our souls. But we must endure all of these storms.
In taking this journey on the seas we call life, each of life’s storms can be compared and contrasted to each and every natural storm. This study and stories of life’s storms are meant to encourage, strengthen, and prepare us for all of the storms that will surely come. We must always believe that God is always with us and will never forsake us. We must remember that he has already prepared us for each obstacle thrown our way and has already made us victorious. We must learn to gather wisdom and build strength from each battle won and share our testimony. We must use our trials to gather souls and to teach and inspire others.
Most of all, we must understand that in life we are always in a storm, coming out of a storm, or going into one. Nevertheless, remember that with prayer, faith, and the use of all the tools, armor, and resources given to us by our Father, we can conquer and prevail over all. But we must be patient, trust God, and carry a victorious mind.
Think about this: During the most overwhelming experiences of tragedy, pain, hurt, and loss in the book of Job, God spoke to him, and he will do the same during yours! Like delicate butterflies surviving a tornado or a beautiful rose enduring a hurricane, we can endure all storms.
Key to holding on:
The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his names sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil my cup runneth over surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and, and I will dwell in the house of the lord forever (Psalm 23 KJV).
Monsoon.jpegMONSOON
Monsoon: A wind system that influences large climatic regions and reverses direction seasonally. Also a wind system from the southeast or south that brings heavy rain to Southeast Asia.
Storm of Life: A situation that has a sudden effect on a person or persons. This storm also affects a large