Lately, my life has been a like a storm cell, moving and reacting as a single entity and producing a system of tornadoes without any break — just a continuous flow of days.

When a tornado is born, the rotating cloud base lowers. Then the lowering cloud that is hanging, forms into a funnel continuing to descend as the wind builds near the surface, kicking up dust and other debris. Finally, the funnel expands to the ground; the tornado begins causing major damage, destroying homes, killing people and animals and demolishing communities.

This is how my life has appeared for the past three weeks; it looks like an extended tornado outbreak.

My life’s tornadoes recapture the story of Job when Satan attacked his character. Satan came among God, and the Lord said to Satan, "From where do you come?"

So Satan answered God and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it" (Job 1:7).

This text says that the enemy paces the earth, covering all of it backwards and forwards. This says that the enemy lurks around throughout the day and night. 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."

God referred to Job as a blameless and upright man. I can imagine them speaking to one another and God telling Satan, there is no other like my boy Job. He has great respect for me as his heavenly Father and my son Job turns away from evil (Job 1:8). Later on Satan tells God that Job is only good because you protect him all the time. You are guarding him on every aspect of his life from his family to his business. I can visualize Satan saying, "God, Job is upright because you have blessed him. But if you would just take all that you have given to him away, if you would cause him some heartache, I guarantee you Job will turn his back on you" (Job 1;9-11).

Job had some extended tornado outbreaks that occurred after that because God gave Satan permission to cause some funnels to form, but he did not give him permission to put his hand on Job (vs 12).

I have been commissioned to the ministry of Healing of a Broken Heart. God has directed me in holding a marriage conference, helping the poor and broken spirited. As I move forward towards this mission, each time I push forward with the marriage events, outbreaks occur heavy. My family members get sick, threats of lost of employment and the noise builds so much that you wonder, "Should I stop?" However, it is all a set up.

Has your character been attacked lately? Are you walking around with a frown on your face because someone has made false accusations about you? Do you desire to just be free of the tornadoes?

Tornadoes come in various intensity levels. F0 is considered light, F1 is thought of as moderate, F2 is considerable, F3 is severe, and F4 is devastating, while F5 is incredibly powerful.

Maybe you have had some possessions taken away and you are at level F0. Perhaps you have had some relationships shaken up, lost your job, the car has been repossessed and you are at level F1. Possibly you have experienced a demolished marriage, left to be homeless, and you are at level F3. Have you lost your family, been beaten, rejected? You feel like you have no one to talk to, no place to go, feeling invisible; then maybe you are at level F4. Perhaps you have had a family of tornados take place and you feel like this is the extended outbreak all combining to form an F5.

Friends, today Satan still has to get permission to go back and forth. The enemy continues to prowl like a lion, but we serve a God that "neither sleeps nor slumber" (Psalm 121:4). The enemy is still out to attack the character of the Lord’s children. But the Father delights in us as his children and will not allow the enemy to lay a hand on us.

Consider not growing faint but pour out your heart to the Lord. Pray to God to help you trust him as he directs your path. Ask God to give you bold confidence in him for you are his child. Seek the Lord to hear his voice for in the midst of all the commotion you will find his still small voice. "The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in. From this time forth, and even forevermore," (Psalm 121:8).