There I was, lying wide awake, counting down the minutes until the next “free light, noise, and wind show” courtesy of mother nature, wrecked through the area. As my phone lit up telling me of each warning, I anticipated it to be a really bad storm.
I absolutely despise storms at night; especially with high winds—they’re like nature’s way of playing hide-and-seek! You can hear that thunderclap and the wind like they are a welcoming committee, but good luck spotting the danger lurking right outside your window. It’s all nerve wracking to say the least. To top it off, I have this very large pine tree in the backyard that, in my expert opinion, could fall on a house at any given moment.
As the storm rushed in, showing off its array of bright lights and loud gongs, I lied there waiting with an uneasy feeling in my stomach. Each crack of thunder felt like a drumroll announcing the chaos that was about to appear, and I could hardly focus on anything else. I was waiting for the tornado warning, waiting for the unmistakable howl of the wind that would signal danger nearby, waiting for the tree to fall; its mighty frame surrendering to nature’s wrath.
As I lay there, I began to pray, asking God to protect us and give the tree a firm foundation amongst the wind and rain. The storm came through like it was a shining knight, fierce and relentless, wreaking havoc all around, yet somehow it left behind only a fragment of the destruction I thought it would. I watched in awe as my tree still stood tall against the intense winds, its branches swaying but never breaking, along with my apple trees, which are a source of joy. The air was thick with anticipation, but amidst it all, we were safe, surrounded by nature’s beauty and God’s protection, grateful for the miracles that seemed to unfold before our very eyes.
The Storms of Life
Just as storms arise in nature, we often experience storms in our own physical or mental lives as well. These internal tempests can take on various forms, from overwhelming stress and anxiety that swirl around us like dark clouds, to feelings of sorrow that come crashing down like thunder. Maybe a legitimate storm is raging outside your window, bent on destroying your property, with fierce winds howling and rain pounding the earth, or perhaps the circumstances of life are hard and have caused you to cry a river of tears, each droplet representing a struggle or heartache that feels insurmountable.
Whatever storm you may be facing, you can trust that God is right there in the midst of your storm-even if you do not feel Him there. He is holding your hand, leading you through to the other side, and giving you peace in the journey.
Matthew 14:22-33 tells the story of Jesus walking on water. Verse 22-24 says:
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
I don’t know about you, but I have been on a boat in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay when the wind and waves were against it. It is a very frightening experience. With each wave overcoming the boat all I could think about was, “I wonder when this boat is going to sink, and, could I swim to shore carrying my one year old son and my 5th grader?” So I can only imagine the fear rising up within each disciple.
After this, the disciples see Jesus walking on water, a miraculous sight that fills them with fear. But Jesus immediately says to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Do you hear the voice of the Lord in your storms, amidst the chaos of life’s challenges? When the wind and waves seem to be breaking over you, can you see Jesus walking towards you to calm the storm? In those moments of distress, remind yourself that He is always near, ready to offer peace and strength when you need it the most. Trust that even in your darkest hours, you are never alone, and that His love can carry you through any storm.
After Peter walks on water in verses 29 and 30, Jesus gets into the boat with Peter and the other disciples and the wind dies down. The storm stopped when Jesus showed up. My ESV footnote for this verse says by walking on water in a furious storm, Jesus demonstrates that He indeed is the Lord over all creation, and so there is no need to be afraid or to doubt. When we invite Jesus into the boat, we can experience a calm and a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Five Scriptures for When You’re in a Storm
Psalm 56:3 ESV
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Isaiah 41:13 ESV
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Isaiah 43:2 ESV
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, the flame shall not consume you.”
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
John 14:27 ESV
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Jesus Sees you in your Storm
Many times we feel like we are alone in our storms, dealing with the overwhelming waves of uncertainty and anxiety that crash into our lives. It’s hard to see the Father’s hand when the wind is howling and the seas are raging all around us, leaving us in a state of confusion and fear. In those moments of despair, we may feel isolated and abandoned, but like the disciples, we can experience Jesus right in the middle of all the uncertainty and all of the worry. He does not leave us to navigate these turbulent waters on our own; instead, He is there, reaching out His hand to us, offering comfort and guidance. His presence is a lighthouse in the dark, beckoning us to take hold of Him so He can calm the storm and give us rest. As we cling to Him, we discover a profound peace that surpasses all understanding, a grace that can still our hearts and remind us that we are never truly alone in our struggles.
Joshua 1:9 says: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Just as Jesus saw the disciples in their storm, He sees you in your storm. He is right next to you, holding you, and telling you all is well. During life’s uncertainties, it is easy to feel isolated and helpless. However, in those very trials, we must remember that we are not alone. Jesus, with His unwavering presence, is our anchor in the midst of chaos. He offers us a peace that surpasses all understanding. All we need to do is to look up and reach out to Him. You are not going to drown in your sorrows or your problems.
With the promises Jesus gives, He is taking us from “head knowledge” to a heart knowledge by allowing us to personally experience Him in the midst of our storms. These experiences, though unpleasant, deepen our faith and trust in Him, transforming our understanding of His love and grace. As we navigate through life’s challenges, every struggle becomes an opportunity for growth. We learn to lean not on our understanding but to seek comfort in His unchanging promises. Through the storms we face, we not only find strength but also gain a profound realization of how deeply we are loved and cared for by Him. We truly see how Jesus shows up in the midst of the raging sea and tells us not to fear.
Conclusion
Although we struggle when storms arise in our lives, we need to remember that God has a plan for each heartbreaking, hard-pressed, painful storm we face. We may not be able to see all He is doing in the midst of the raging sea of difficulty, but His plans are to do us good and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) Faith rises up when uncertainty clouds our sight. It may be hard to see the horizon, but allow God to lead and guide you to a place of safety.
Jesus sees that you are weary and straining at the oars, and He wants to get into the boat with you and calm the storm around you. Begin to place your trust in the Lord today and allow Him to show you great and mighty things you do not know.
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