There Is Hope Amid the Storms of Life

The storms of life will rock our world, but with the Lord as our anchor, we will not sink.

I wiggled deep into the mattress, tucking the blankets around my shoulders. Snuggled in warm and comfortable, I lay listening to the whipping winds, rumbling thunder, and smattering of rain on the windows. The day dawned stormy, and I hesitated to rouse myself from my coccoon. Safe and secure, the sounds of the storm lulled me into a peaceful slumber.

I love getting up and attacking the day on beautiful mornings, but stormy ones are for sleeping in, at least in a dry and warm house. Being outside in a severe rainstorm, though, is entirely different. It’s miserable and scary. Even worse, when you’re in a boat on the water, as Jesus’ disciples were in Matthew 8:23-27.

Tossed About in the Storm

In that biblical account, Jesus slept in the boat as the disciples rowed across the lake. Suddenly, a violent storm sprung up. Row as they might, the waves threatened to swamp them. Finally, in a panic, they awoke Jesus.

In our lifetimes, we don’t only face literal storms; we deal with “storms” of many kinds: financial, relational, and health. Rough conditions can hit all life areas, and slumbering through them peacefully is not an option.

Different Expectations

I don’t know what the disciples expected Jesus to do and say, but I doubt it was what He did and said. Following their fearful appeal, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” (v. 25 CSB). Jesus answered with a question, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” (v. 26 CSB). Then He rebuked the waves and sea, which quickly calmed down. The disciples were amazed that even the winds and sea obeyed Him.

Jesus surprised the disciples with a question (maybe a rebuke even) before acting to save them. Similarly, the Lord doesn’t always respond to our desperate pleas for help in the exact way we expect Him to. Instead, He often acts in ways we don’t anticipate.

Sometimes, it seems like He stays still and silent. Other times, it appears He’s acting contrary to what would be best for us. But regardless of how it appears, we can expect God to act on our behalf. As omnipotent, He has the power. As omniscient, He possesses the knowledge. As kind and good, He has the desire to help us.

However, the Lord is also mysterious and righteous, unfathomable and loving. He alone knows how best to act on our behalf. He alone knows what is being most loving toward us.

We may see God’s help as delayed or not helpful at all. Sometimes, He even appears to be adding to the problem.

3 Things to Hold Onto Amid the Storms of Life

But when it comes to the Lord’s help amid the storms of life, we can hold onto three things:

1. God is faithful to act on our behalf.
2. We will not always understand why the Lord does or allows certain things.
3. One day we will understand, but it may not be in this lifetime.

Jesus spoke and acted in ways that marveled, amazed, confused, and even frustrated His disciples. This story of the storm in Matthew is only one biblical example. Jesus’ help in our lives, in whatever form it takes, will amaze, confuse, and frustrate us sometimes too.

But the Lord does not change.

He provided for and protected His disciples, physically in many ways, but spiritually first and foremost. He does the same for us. Even today, He can still the winds, calm waves, and move mountains.

Never Doubt the Lord

We may not know why the Lord continues to allow what He does. But we should never doubt that He can, and will, still the winds and calm the waves in our lives. It may not be today or next month or even during our earthly life, but one day, we will know no more scary situations, no more desperate times, no more tears of sorrow.

We should expect God to act on our behalf because He already is, even when we don’t recognize relief from the storm. One day, whether now or in the next life, relief will come. God will calm the storms of our lives. We can count on it.

And he [Jesus] said to them [the disciples], “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:26 ESV)

Reflections: What storms of life are you expecting God to act on? Which ones has He already calmed?