When in the Midst of a Spiritual Storm: Praise, Pray, and Persevere

By Dianne E. Barlow

Have you ever been in a physical or spiritual storm? Well, they are both similar. A physical storm is whereas there are dark clouds, thunder and lightning and the sun refuse to shine. There is also rain, and I mean rain, rain, and then more rain. A spiritual storm has some of the same characteristics. The most highly visible difference is that soon the physical storm has passed. A spiritual storm, one may have to weather it much longer. It wont be over until God say that it is. During this time we must praise, pray, and persevere. This is the only way that we will be able to weather the storm.

When in the Midst of a Spiritual Storm: Praise, Pray, and Persevere will open our minds to the spirituality of Gods work. Whenever we experience these storms God is doing a great work in us and he is taking us to another level in him. The author portrays some of the many storms that she has had to endure as well as those of some biblical characters, and others who she has had contact with. The author guarantees that you will be able to see yourself or those who are close to you in some of these storms. You will be able to also see how storms can be weathered with Gods assistance. There are many obstacles in weathering storms and many spiritual disciplines that we must acquire. It is my prayer that we can all learn from this knowledge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inspiring Voices
• Release date: Aug 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781462401734

Dianne E. Barlow

Missionary Dr. Dianne Elizabeth Barlow is the daughter of Mr. Ozell Barlow Sr. and Elease B. Barlow. She was born on the “Barlow Place” in Southeast Dougherty County, Albany Georgia. She was reared and educated by her paternal grandparents, David Barlow and Estella F. K. Barlow. She is the mother of Commander Martin J. USN, David A, Ethan O. and the proud grandmother of Emari Gabrielle “Gabbie” and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Adream. Missionary Dianne received her BA in Sociology with a minor in Social Work from Albany State University in June1973. She received her MA in Christian Studies from Grand Canyon University, January 2012. She is presently a candidate for a PhD in Christian Counseling at Northwestern Theological Seminary. Missionary Dianne is the founder and CEO of Dimadaee Ministries INC. This is a missionary ministry whereas it seeks to assist the people of God in the aspects of practical everyday living. She is the founder and CEO of Gabbie’s Boutique. Missionary Dianne is retired as a mental health coordinator. She has also worked as a medical social worker and medical research interviewer.

Book preview

Copyright © 2012 Dianne Barlow

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.

Inspiring Voices books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

Inspiring Voices

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.inspiringvoices.com

1-[phone]

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: 978-1-4624-0174-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4624-0173-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012940301

Inspiring Voices rev. date: 08/10/2012

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

In Memory Of:

Foreword

A Prayer Of Supplication

Chapter 1 Preparation Of A Storm: Natural Or Spiritual

Chapter 2 Why Do We Go Through Spiritual Storms?

Chapter 3 Disobedience Breed Spiritual Storms

Chapter 4 When The Storms Of Life Are Raging: Lord Stand By Me

Chapter 5 Inspiration In The Midst Of A Storm While Mentoring Others

Chapter 6 Be An Elisha In Your Storm: Face Reality

Chapter 7 The Rising Storm: How Can We Tell?

Chapter 8 God’s Sweet Holy Spirit

Chapter 9 Doubtfulness, Overwhelmness, Anxiousness, Stressed, Depressed, And Distressed In The Midst Of A Storm

Chapter 10 Walking Into Purpose/ Walking In Purpose

Chapter 11 Where Is God In The Midst Of Our Storms?

Chapter 12 The Three P’s In Stormy Weather: Praise, Prayer, Persevere

Chapter 13 Experiencing Peace, Joy, Hope, Patience, Grace And Mercy, Love, Kindness, Strength And Courage, Confidence Giving And Receiving While In A Spiritual Storm.

Chapter 14 Rearing Children While Weathering The Storm

Chapter 15 Let Us Be A Job In Our Storm

Chapter 16 A Storm May Be The Result Of Reaping: Sow Good Seeds

Chapter 17 Oftentimes Sickness Is A Storm

Chapter 18 Bereaving And Grieving Is A Spiritual Storm

About The Author

Encouragement By The Author

Dedication

Oh God Almighty God: I have weathered many storms through your grace, mercy and love. When I am in the Midst of a Storm I am Praising, Praying, and Persevering. I am standing on the promises of Christ my King.

To My beloved grandmother: Estella Florence King Barlow (1909-1978) whom I am dedicating my first book. She was my mentor, enabler and inspiration. She taught me to be all that I can be. She has equipped me with many aspects of life. There were things that she taught me that I could not use then but I can surely use them now. Thank you Mama for caring for me, rearing me and financing the education that you knew that I would need to equip me to care for myself and weather some of the storms of life. Sometimes, even to this today when I would come into the knowledge of something I would stop and say, Mama, your words ring true. So be the words of the wise. RIP Mama.

To my three sons: Commander MartinUSN, David and Ethan and to my lovely grand daughters Emari Gabrielle Gabby and Elizabeth Lizzie Adream, (my namesake). These are whom I love dearly and pray the best for their endeavors. My prayers also are that God will equipped you all with the knowledge, faith, courage, strength and love of him to weather all the storms that you will encounter in life.

To my cousin: Confidante, spiritual sister, and very best friend other than Christ, Minister Catherine Covin Robinson and her husband, the Reverend Dr. Alfred Robinson, Philadelphia PA. She has been my cousin for 60 years. However, she has been my friend, confidante and spiritual sister for only 30 years, even though it seems much longer. We have prayed so many prayers together way past the midnight hours. We have strengthened and encouraged one another in Christ our King. We have weathered many storms together and are still weathering the storms. We are standing on the promises of Christ our King.

To my longtime friend: For 28 long years, Edna Marie Murray, a longtime educator in Columbus GA and a native of Albany GA., who has always encouraged my writing ability. She has been there through all of my years of struggles as we reared our children as single parents. We encouraged and blessed one another as we weathered many storms. We rejoiced and praised God as one another triumphed through our trials and tribulations. God has promoted and elevated us in so many ways since these storms. Even though we have not yet arrived, we are still standing on the promises of Christ our King. We are praising, praying, persevering and weathering the storms.

To my mentor: Mrs. Frances Johnson, retired educator and my fellow co-worker, who inspired and encouraged me as if I was her own. These inspirations and encouragements are what I cherish today even though she has weathered the storms and am with Christ. All of us whom she has made an impact on our lives will always remember her. RIP Mrs. Frances Johnson.

To all of these people I say thank-you. To all who still remain with me I say thank-you. We will continue weathering the storms and standing on the promises of Christ our King. When in the Midst of a Storm: Praise, Pray and Persevere.

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge my parents, Ozell Barlow Sr. and Elease Barlow for being the reason that I am here to do the will of God. Although they are in their bruised years I pray that God will endow unto them and bless them to have many happy and God fearing years.

I would like to give acknowledgement to my god parents, the Reverend Richard Jordan and First Lady Martha Jordan. They have prayed with me and for me and given me spiritual support and spiritual encouragement. They are weathering the storms of life and are equipping us as Christians to do likewise. They have touched many lives in a positive manner during their almost seventy years in the ministry of the Kingdom of God. May God’s richest blessing be bestowed upon them as they reap the rewards that God is giving them during their twilight years? Note: Reverend Jordan has now gone on to be with the Lord as of November 13, 2011(8 months before the printing of this book). RIP.

I would like to give acknowledgement to my pastor and earthly spiritual advisor, Dr. Lorenzo Heard, pastor, of the Greater Second Mt Olive of Albany Georgia. He teaches and preaches the word with such truth and enthusiasm. There is so much to learn regarding the word of God. He fosters and empowers us spiritually with the knowledge that God has given him. He is truly a man of God, wise and kindhearted.

I would also like to give acknowledgement to a dear friend, past co-worker and college mate, Linda Breedlove Howard. We have been acquainted for 43 long years. Whenever one has to weather a storm Linda is the friend that you need beside you, asking for nothing but giving so much. Linda will give and ask nothing in return. As a matter of fact she appears to become annoyed when you attempt to do a kindly gesture for her. The only gift that she will accept graciously from you is a dine-out dinner every so often, any—thing more than this she does not want and will not accept. The best attribute that Linda has is that she seems to know when you need assistance. You do not have to ask her, she just give. I could not have possibly written this book without giving her the honor and her dues. May God shower his richest blessings upon her and her family?

I am also acknowledging another dear friend, Mary Hines of Mary’s Daycare Center, Albany GA. I really do not know how to explain my friendship with her. We have been acquainted for 27 years. It began as her being the caregiver for my 28 year old son at her daycare center when he was only11 months old. Upon our first acquaintance I had made up in my mind that I would not like her because I did not like the idea of leaving my young son with anyone while I return to work, especially a stranger that I did not know. She not only became a dear friend she became a surrogate mother for my 27 and 28 year old sons until they both began public school. I do not know what I would have done without the Lord and her during those times. We remain friends to this day. May God continue to bless her as she continues to open her heart and doors to so many children, watching, and caring for them as though they belongs to her.

I would like to acknowledge, my friend, classmate of the class of 1969, spiritual sister Minister Ossie Banks of the Mount Zion Baptist Church of Albany GA. Thanks for your staunched and untiring support in all of my endeavors and your belief that I can do all that I can do and more with God’s help. Minister Banks is a beacon and a role model for all women of God.

My final acknowledgement goes to my first god mother, the late Thelma Chapman James (1931-2002). Thanks to her for being a surrogate mother, confidant and friend, the kind that never had an unkind word to say about anyone to me. If she could not give positive feedback, then she gave none at all. Whatever she had to say was quite effective. May God bless her children and family for the time and kindness that she gave me when I so needed it. RIP Mrs. Thelma James. You are sorely missed. (1952-2012). Dianne has since passed at the completion of my book, the eldest daughter of Thelma James, and my oldest god sister. RIP Mrs. Dianne Kris James Andrews.

In Memory Of:

This in memory of Keith Robert Bunn, January 27,1966 to April 11,2011, the son of my first cousin, best friend and sister in Christ. Keith was acknowledged in chapter 13, "Be a Job in the Midst of your Storm. Keith has gone on before us since I wrote about him in January of 2011.

Keith, God saw you getting weary,

A cure was not to be,

He put his arms around you and whispered: Come to me.

Keith, your painful days are over,

Your restless nights have passed

God took you in his arms and whispered: Peace at last.

Goodnight Keith. Sleep on. Take your well deserved rest.

Cousin Dianne

Your Mom wants you to know:

A ray of sunshine came and went

A beautiful treasure only lent

In God’s keeping quietly sleep,

My son I love but could not keep.

Rest my Son,

Love Mom (Minister Catherine Covin Bunn Robinson)

Philadelphia Pennsylvania

Foreword

When in the midst of a spiritual storm, what do we do? If you are not in the midst of a storm, or have not gone through a storm—you will eventually go through a storm. Whatever the scenario is, you must survive. Why do we go through storms? Is it our fault or is it the circumstances? Is it God’s fault or maybe even the Satan’s fault?

What is a storm? A natural storm according to a web definition is a direct violent assault and stronghold. Now, we all know what a spiritual storm is. We experience the same characteristics as a natural storm but in a symbolic type way in our spiritual life. Sometimes storms are unexpected. Sometimes we can sense a storm when it is brewing. Sometimes God gives us a warning. Personally, I believe that he always warn us of an impeding spiritual storm coming our way. Oftentimes we do not stop, look and listen.

When a storm comes we may even ask, why me? Why not you? God has no respect of person. Colossians 3:25 says, But he that doeth wrong should receive for the wrong which he has done, and there is no respect of people. With the same token, if we do right we will receive right even though we may go through. Let’s face it; we have to go through to get to. However right wins in the end. With faith we will persevere. Hebrew 11:1 says, Now faith is the substance of things hope for and the evidence of things unseen. Praise, pray, and persevere are the three P’s of storm survival. Now, just let us see what practical application that we can use to get through.

When