Finding Strength in the Storm

While on a road trip last summer, I came across a fitting sign at a church in Kemble, Ontario: Sometimes God calms the storm. Sometimes God calms me. In the story of Jesus and the disciples, we know the storm was calmed. But in today’s current storms, with the increase in crime, interest rates, and dire weather, I think we need God to calm us.

In the past three weeks, devastating flooding has hit many countries, including Canada, US, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, Japan, and India. The flooding in 2023 is staggering. [https://floodlist.com] I don’t see it getting any better.

Stormy wind, fulfilling His word; Psalm 148:8

My husband and I went camping in June in our little travel trailer. We had a storm blow in that lasted for an entire day and night. The pounding rain against the rooftop was deafening. And relentless. Enough to drive a person mad.

My thoughts shifted to Noah. How did he manage to stay sane during 40 days and 40 nights of loud rain pelting on the ark? How did he remain positive and motivated during those dark, dreary days? How did he keep it together when he was on board the ark for an entire year? We were stuck inside the trailer for only one day and we drove each other batty.

Did God keep Noah calm during those long, grueling months? Did God ease his struggles? When God finally brought Noah to safety on dry land, God gave him the rainbow as His promise. A beautiful, peaceful rainbow. The calm after the storm.

The rainbow is also our promise. It’s there for us. Just believe.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”
And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39

Jesus calmed the sea. The wind died down, and the water was completely calm. The disciples had survived the ordeal. Their anxiety and troubles were gone. They floated calmly in the boat as they stared at Jesus.

One moment, a storm with wild, boisterous winds. The deafening roar of the waves cascading over the boat, soaking them to the skin. And the next moment, a great calm.

A great calm. It’s there for us too. Just believe.

He leads me beside still waters. Psalm 23:2

When we’re dealing with the storms in our life, whether personal or literal, we can choose to remain calm. We can hand over the stress and anguish to God. We can lay all the fear and anger and sadness down before Him. He can take it; and in return, He will calm our storms, or He will calm us. He will lead us beside still waters.

Let go and let God. Ask and ye shall receive. Just believe.

“The Lord on high is mightier
Than the noise of many waters,
Than the mighty waves of the sea.”
-Psalm 93:4

---

Download the Fearless in 30 Challenge. Everyday, for the next 30 days, do something that scares you. Record your thoughts, actions, and results in your journal, and at the end of the Challenge review how far you’ve come.

Don't want to miss a post? Join me on this 21-week journey of transformation here, and receive the free Fearless in 30 Challenge workbook.