Waiting Out Storms

Don’t lose your faith when bad things happen.
Use your faith when bad things happen.
Don’t lose it…use it.
“At any given point in life, our emotions are not permanent
conditions.”
What do we do when bad things happen?

1. Be aware of your emotions.
   Proverbs 15:13 ESV
   A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is
   crushed.
   Don’t lose it…use it.
   Psalm 73:1-14 NCV
   God is truly good to Israel, to those who have pure hearts. But I had
   almost stopped believing; I had almost lost my faith because I was
   jealous of proud people. I saw wicked people doing well. They are not
   suffering; they are healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like
   the rest of us; they don’t have problems like other people. They wear
   pride like a necklace and put on violence as their clothing. They are
   looking for profits and do not control their selfish desires. They make
   fun of others and speak evil; proudly they speak of hurting others.
   They brag to the sky. They say that they own the earth. So their
   people turn to them and give them whatever they want. They say,
   “How can God know? What does God Most High know?” These
   people are wicked, always at ease, and getting richer. So why have I
   kept my heart pure? Why have I kept my hands from doing wrong? I
   have suffered all day long; I have been punished every morning.
2. Don’t compare yourself to others.
   Being a Christian doesn’t mean we get a free ticket to an easy life on
   earth.
   Don’t lose it…use it.

Four Steps of Perception:

1. Event
2. Analysis
3. Emotion
4. Reaction
   Psalm 73:15-20 NCV
   God, if I had decided to talk like this, I would have let your people
   down. I tried to understand all this, but it was too hard for me to see
   until I went to the Temple of God. Then I understood what will happen
   to them. You have put them in danger; you cause them to be
   destroyed. They are destroyed in a moment; they are swept away by
   terrors. It will be like waking from a dream. Lord, when you rise up,
   they will disappear.

3. Don’t assume you understand what’s going on without talking to
   the Lord.
   We can react our way, or we can react God’s way.
   Don’t lose it…use it.
   Psalm 73:21-28 NCV
   When my heart was sad and I was angry, I was senseless and stupid.
   I acted like an animal toward you. But I am always with you; you have
   held my hand. You guide me with your advice, and later you will
   receive me in honor. I have no one in heaven but you; I want nothing
   on earth besides you. My body and my mind may become weak, but
   God is my strength. He is mine forever. Those who are far from God
   will die; you destroy those who are unfaithful. But I am close to God,
   and that is good. The Lord God is my protection. I will tell all that you
   have done.
   Don’t lose it…use it.