Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Woodrow Kroll
What are 3 ways that God helps us deal with the storms of life? What ones would you suggest?
Going Through the Storm
David wrote in the well-known Psalm 23 that “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (23:4a). David knew what the valley of the shadow of death looked like because he had run for his life for many years in trying to escape King Saul who had been trying to kill him. David says that God is going through this dark, shadowy valley with him however a shadow of death is not the same as the reality of death. Shadows can’t hurt you. God may not keep us from the storm but He will go with us through the storm.
Calming the Storm
When Jesus went with the disciples to the other side of the sea, being omniscient, He knew that they’d encounter a storm but He sent them anyway. Sometimes God may send us into the storms of life so that we’ll learn to depend on Him or cry out for help. Remember this was Jesus’ idea as He said “Let us go across to the other side” (Mark 4:35). When “a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling” they cried out to Jesus “do you not care that we are perishing” (mark 4:37-38)? Now think about this…was that ship going to sink and everyone drown with Jesus in the boat? Could Jesus have drowned as well? Of course not but that is where Jesus, fully knowing that they’d be going into a storm, wanted them to know that He is God and so He spoke to the storm “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39), then Jesus rebuked them saying “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith” (Mark 4:40)? The storm was sovereignly appointed to perhaps show them that their faith was weak and that with Jesus there, did they really have anything to worry about? Jesus will sometimes take us into a storm to see if we’ll trust Him and He may even rebuke the storm.
Preparing for the Storm
If you are not presently going through a storm, get ready, one is coming. Maybe you’ve already gone through one and are just now coming out of one. It feels great to come out of one but it’s not much fun while you’re in it. We must learn to praise Him in these storms. We must prepare our hearts for more storms yet to come. A faith that is not tested cannot be trusted. God spoke through Isaiah saying “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, and the flame shall not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2). Paul tells the church at Corinth “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor 12:9).
Conclusion
It seems that all believers are in one of these three circumstances right now; they are going through a storm, they have just gone through a storm or they are getting ready to go into a storm. We all have times where we are afflicted but we also have the God of the storm. The winds must obey what He commands and can go no further or do no more that He sovereignly allows. It is a matter of trusting in Him because “what you can’t go through, God will help you fly over. “
