Steady Through the Storms

Storms can be so scary, threatening and even devastating. We can wish and hope that they will never come, but they do and they always will. Some of my past extreme weather experiences come to mind as I contemplate the crisis that is happening in our world today.

I recall a day when I was a child, that we had a frightening hail storm. It brought so much hail that we went out on the porch and picked it up by the panful.

Then there was one winter day when we had so much rain that icicles formed from the eaves of the house all the way to the ground. That was a really rare thing for western Kentucky.

I remember another time when we had a big snow on top of freezing rain. The trees and shrubs were white with snow and the whole countryside was indescribably beautiful. But when I went outside to look at it all, the resounding crackle of breaking limbs and falling trees was frightening. The beauty and the silence were broken by the destruction that it caused.

In the early years of our marriage, a tornado ripped its way through Decaturville, Tennessee, where we lived. Our daughter was a baby in arms. When the storm was approaching, Shelton decided that we should shelter in the church next door because it was such a solid building. He took Davina in his arms and we started toward the church, but the wind was already so strong that it blew me to the ground! I was soaking wet and frightened, but thankfully, we were all safe. That was another moment to remember!

In 2009, we had a tornado that did great damage to a part of Murfreesboro. My husband was at the Sword of the Lord, so he and the staff took shelter in the basement. He had seen the huge tornado coming and called to warn me to take cover. I was at home and it came within a few blocks of our house. Thankfully, we had no personal damage, just the inconvenience of having to drive around the destruction and of being without electricity for a few days. But the destruction across our city was disastrous.

As we live out our lives in this world, there are going to be storms. But not all of the storms are weather related. Some will be related to our health, our finances, our family relationships and our social connections. Whatever the nature or the intensity of the storm in your life, here are some things that will see you through it all. Keep trusting the Lord in the storms of life. I have heard people ask, “Why does the Lord let this happen to me?” I believe the storms and problems come because we live in a fallen world of sin.

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33.

I think of the poem “What God Has Promised,” which says,

God has not promised skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our life through;

God has not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

Refrain

But God has promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing kindness, undying love. —Annie Johnson Flint

God gives us that settled peace in the midst of the storms. We can have that peace with God because of faith in Christ. He is our hope, our refuge, our fortress, our strength, our rock, our defense and so much more! We can certainly trust Him in everything, even in the storms and trials of life.

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee;

yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”— Isa. 41:10.

We must not allow the storms of life to bring us to a point of hopelessness or despair. Whatever the burden we have, we must not lose all the hope and joy of life. That is a sad state that sometimes causes people to turn away from the Lord.

“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”—Ps. 31:24.

Let’s keep that hope in Him alive and more forward in faith.

Storms come and storms go. Often the sun seems to shine so much brighter after a storm has passed. The air seems to have been cleared and hope is restored. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (30:5).

What an encouraging time to have the storm past, broken relationships mended, an improved health report and financial recovery. But let’s not forget God even in the good times. Take up that shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, with which you can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

If you have had a destructive storm in your life, clean out the rubble and move forward in faith. Remember that “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).

A trusting child will jump into the arms of his parents even in dangerous circumstances. We have seen that and experienced it many times. Can we, like a child, trust God enough to jump into His arms and let Him help us? He will, if we will trust Him!

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”—Matt. 11:28