In times of adversity, it is easy to lose hope and question the purpose of our struggles but we have found that God often allows struggles for a reason. Our recent experience with the devastating hurricane Idalia that was in the state of Florida On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, taught us valuable lessons about the power of prayer, unwavering faith, and the hope that God provides even in the darkest of times when He allows struggles. We believe that sharing our story will inspire YOU and encourage YOU if you may be facing your own storms! This article will remind you to trust in God’s unfailing love and provision.

1. The Power of Prayer:
   As the hurricane approached, we turned to prayer as our first line of defense. We were hoping and praying that the storm would not come to Flordia but unfortunately it did.  In the face of uncertainty because the storm came anyway although we prayed, we turned to God to help us deal with the stress, the unrest and the anxiety of having to go through it! We acknowledged our fears to God and prayed to let God know how we felt about the approaching storm, but we realized that we could do nothing about it so we surrender ourselves to God and hoped for the best! The news people were on telling us to prepare for gloom, doom, devastation, despair, distaster, flooding and more, so we were not sure what to expect.  Through prayer, we huddled together and invited God to work in our situations, believing that He would provide protection and safety. We discovered that by doing this, God didn’t stop the storm from coming to Tampa, but He did sustain us in it and kept us safe and unharmed in anyway. Our neighboorhood flooded, but the area where we all live the flood waters stopped short of coming near us and did not flood our areas. In riding out this storm we discovered that Isaiah 43;1-2 is true, that scripture says, But now, this is what the LORD says– he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

1. We had Faith in God even though we did not want to go through the hurricane:
   Our faith in God’s goodness and sovereignty was the anchor that kept us strong amidst the storm. With so much overwhelming negative news surrounding us it was really hard to stay positive but through it all we held onto the belief that God knew our struggles and would guide us through them.  We trusted in His unfailing love, we focused on the faithfulness of God rather than the magnitude of the crisis. This unwavering faith sustained us, reminding us that no matter how severe the storm, God was in control.
2. Although a few members of our ministry were shaking  and very nervous we held on to Hope:
   In the midst of chaos, hope served as a beacon of light. We clung to the promises found in Scripture and held onto hope that better days were ahead. Hope reminded us that our current situation was temporary and that God had a plan for our lives beyond the storm. It fueled our spirits and allowed us to face adversity with resilience and determination. The louder the storm got and the more the news people declared doom, gloom, despair and devastation, the more we prayed, and held on to faith and hope!

 3.Learning from the Experience:
Through this challenging experience, we learned important lessons that we are sharing with you to help you through whatever strom you may find yourself in. By going throug this we learned that crises can serve as opportunities for personal growth and transformation. They remind us to turn to God for help to overcome overwhelming obstacles outside of our control. Secondly, we learned that trusting in God is a neccessity not an option.

Though the storm was fierce, God showed up in extraordinary ways, providing us with what we needed at precisely the right moment.In times of crises, our perspective on life often shifts. We become more grateful for the little things and more aware of the fragility of our existence. Therefore, it is vital that we seize each moment, cherishing the time we have been given, and making the most of it. By sharing our story, we encourage you to trust in God when storms arise in your life. Embrace each day with hope and faith, knowing that you are not alone and that God is working for your good. Here’s how you can help us continue to overcome and be strengthened in the storms that God allows;

Pray for our ministry everyday as we pray for you!

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and our content often.

Conclusion:
Dear friend, remember that you can rely on God in times of crisis and storms. Just as He saved us during the hurricane, He will also extend His loving hand to you. Trust Him wholeheartedly, knowing that He has the power to conquer any storm that may come your way. Let us join in prayer as we invite God to strengthen and guide us through our hardships, believing with unwavering faith that He will answer our calls. Trust in His timing, lean on His love, and step forward confidently into a future that He has already ordained for your well-being.  Ready now? Let’s pray;

Dear Heavenly Father,

when the winds of uncertainty blow and the waves of fear crash upon us, remind us to turn our gaze towards You. You are the calm in the chaos, the anchor that holds us steady. Help us to trust in Your unwavering love and to find peace in the assurance that You are in control.

As we navigate through the challenges and trials that surround us, grant us the wisdom to discern Your will. May Your Spirit guide our steps, illuminating the path that leads us closer to You. Give us the courage to follow, even when the way seems treacherous and unfamiliar.

In the moments when we feel overwhelmed, remind us of Your promise to never leave or forsake us. Strengthen our faith, that we may find comfort in knowing that You are working all things together for our good. Help us to fix our eyes on You, rather than on the storm raging around us.

Father, grant us the humility to surrender our burdens to You, for You are the one who can calm the raging seas. Teach us to cast our anxieties upon You, knowing that You care for us deeply. Help us to find peace and rest in Your loving embrace.

May our prayers be a constant reminder of Your presence in our lives. Give us the patience to wait upon You, for Your timing is perfect and Your ways are higher than our own. Open our hearts to receive Your grace and mercy, and fill us with hope for the future.

In Your powerful and compassionate name, we pray. Amen.

Remember, dear reader, that in the storms of life, you are never alone. Turn to God in prayer, and He will be your shelter and peace amidst the chaos. Trust in His unfailing love and find strength in His mighty hand.

Photos of some hurricane damage 8/31/2023 

Hurricane Idalia has left its mark on history, proving to be a once-in-a-lifetime storm for parts of Florida.

Idalia made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane with sustained wind speeds of 125 mph Wednesday morning in Florida’s Big Bend region – where the panhandle meets the peninsula – near Keaton Beach.

Follow live updates: Idalia spreading damage across the Southeast

Idalia’s journey since it first formed in the Caribbean Sea over the weekend has been anything but ordinary. Here are some of its most notable superlatives:

Strongest in more than 125 years

With maximum winds of 125 mph, Idalia was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region in more than 125 years.

The last storm of Idalia’s strength to slam the region was an unnamed Category 3 hurricane in 1896. The unnamed hurricane also had sustained winds of 125 mph at landfall.

Idalia was the first major hurricane – Category 3 or stronger – on record to track through Florida’s Apalachee Bay, a northern inlet in the Big Bend.

Record-breaking, life-threatening storm surge

Idalia’s storm surge was record-breaking from Tampa to the Big Bend.

More than 8 feet of storm surge sent water levels in Cedar Key, Florida, to 6.8 feet above their highest normal tides on Wednesday morning. This shattered the previous high water level of 5.99 feet from Hurricane Hermine in 2016.

In Tampa Bay, water levels surpassed 4.5 feet on Wednesday morning, exceeding the previous high water mark of 3.79 feet from Tropical Storm Eta in 2020.

Clearwater Beach also set a new record-high water level at 4.05 feet, surpassing the previous record of 4.02 feet from the 1993 Storm of the Century.

Storm surge rushing through the Steinhatchee River in Steinhatchee, Florida, also caused water levels there to rise 9 feet in two hours and hit record levels there.

Rare warnings were issued

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee issued two extreme wind warnings on Wednesday morning as the strongest winds from Idalia came ashore. These types of warnings are only issued when sustained winds of 115 mph or greater are expected in an area.

Until Wednesday, only 27 extreme wind warnings had ever been issued in the continental US. The majority of these warnings have been issued in Florida.

Rapid intensification

Hurricane Idalia went through a period of rapid intensification Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning as it tracked over the exceptionally warm water of the Gulf of Mexico.

Scientists have been alarmed at how warm ocean temperatures have been this year, including in the Gulf if Mexico and around southern Florida, where sea surface temperature climbed to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit earlier this summer.

Average sea surface temperature in Idalia’s path was recently measured at nearly 88 degrees Fahrenheit — a record there since data began in the early 1980s.

With an enormous pool of warm-water energy to draw from, the hurricane’s sustained winds increased a staggering 55 mph over the course of 24 hours. Rapid intensification is defined as an increase of at least 35 mph within a 24 hour period.

Idalia was a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph sustained winds early Tuesday morning. By early Wednesday, it was a monstrous Category 4 with sustained winds of 130 mph.

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