THE COMING STORM

The sky goes dark. There is an eerie calm in the wind. A musty smell is in the air. As the rain clouds roll in, you get an alert on your phone. The alert reads “SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING.” As you hear the first crack of thunder in the distance, you make your way back inside the house.

As you secure the windows and make sure the flashlights have enough batteries, the Weather Channel plays in the background. You sit anxiously in the living room with your family as the storm gets closer. Your worst fears are realized as the meteorologist delivers a frightening update.

“We have reason to believe that this particular storm has the potential to produce tornadoes.”

As you receive a new “Tornado Warning” alert on your phone, you grab an emergency kit with your family and head down to the basement. As you listen to the radio, the wind picks up outside. Rain and hail slam against the siding of the house as you prepare your family for the possibility of disaster. As the sky turns day into night, you hear the tornado siren start to blare. You and your family embrace and close your eyes as you hear the wind grow stronger. Suddenly, you hear the windows upstairs shatter…

preparing for the worst

Spring 2024 has been filled with its share of thunderstorms and tornadoes. With a long-awaited sequel to the 90s classic TWISTER coming later this summer, the topic of storm chasing has grown in popularity this year. For some, it’s the thrill and adrenaline of facing danger. For others, it’s the beauty and majesty of nature’s dark side.

For a special few, though, it’s the desire to learn more about the danger these storms possess and how to be prepared when the rain starts to fall.

Now, what does storm-chasing have anything to do with this website? How can one equate weather preparation with seeking truth in the spiritual realm?

NIGHTMARES AND THE STORMS OF LIFE

When I was a kid, I used to have nightmares about tornadoes on a monthly basis. The idea that something could wipe out everything I know in just a few seconds frightened me. Sometimes, even during light thunderstorms, I would have to sleep downstairs to be closer to the basement.

The nightmares didn’t end until well into adulthood, after a life-changing experience with the Almighty. The dreams still continued, but with a different feeling. Instead of running and hiding from the storm, I was prepared and helping others to safety.

As Christians, we must recognize that there will be storms. This is the part where most will talk to you about trials and tribulations. Financial downfalls, sickness, heartbreak, or life just dealing you a bad hand of the cards. But this isn’t that type of conversation…

DEMONS: THE TORNADOES OF OUR LIVES

Like thunderstorms, most people are prepared to weather through the “storms of life.” There may be some damage, a little flooding, or some broken tree limbs. Similarly, most Christians can handle life’s metaphorical thunderstorms. But what happens when a true monster shows up? What happens when one twister rolls into town and destroys everything?

Demons. Evil spirits. Satan. These can cause untold damage to the households they inhabit. Like tornadoes, everyone likes to think that one won’t touch down near them - until it does. How’s your emergency kit? Stocked?

Most Christians are sadly not prepared for the demonic to attack them and their household. Their Bibles lay as dusty as a forgotten radio left in an attic. Their prayer life is as dead as the batteries of a flashlight that “they were sure they would never need." They attend church as often as they turn on the weather channel, only when they feel like it’s starting to get dark out there.

Unfortunately, like being unprepared for a severe storm, many Christians will be unprepared when their house gets hit with a monster. While tornadoes can harm the physical, the demonic can damage the spirit. It’s easier to rebuild a house than it is to rebuild a person’s spirit. That is why a healthy knowledge of spiritual warfare is not only beneficial, but necessary for a Christian’s journey in life.

Beginning with truth

Grounding one’s self in the truth of GOD’S WORD is our first defense against the enemy’s lies and deceptive attacks. It is for this reason that I began Truth on Fire Ministries. When the storms come, the Holy Scriptures are our SWORD against demonic attacks. And like the fires that will ultimately destroy the enemies of GOD in the Book of Revelation, the TRUTH of His Word will reign fire against the demonic in this life.

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me."

JOHN 14:6