Scientists tell us that even hurricanes bring some benefit. Though violent, these storms purify the ocean by breaking up bacteria and bringing fresh oxygen. They also carry much-needed rain and replenish inland plant life and barrier islands.¹
But it’s hard to see any good in storms while they’re raging, isn’t it?
Like when the disciples found themselves battling one of those sudden squalls that come up on the Sea of Galilee. With the wind and the waves buffeting their boat so hard, all seemed surely lost.
It was the 4th watch of the night, between 3-6 AM. That uncanny hour not quite day and no longer night when things appear surreal. That’s when they saw Christ coming toward them, walking on the water. And they were terrified.
God comes in life’s storms
But that’s Christ’s way. He often comes to us in life’s storms. He sees the wind and the waves, and knows that we fear going under. Perhaps like the disciples, grieving over John the Baptist’s passing, we too have lost someone close. Or maybe we smart with the sting of rejection, or simply feel bone weary and discouraged.
In those moments he comes to us speaking words of life, hope, and reassurance. Riding on the waves, in the midst of the tempest.
Faith IN the storm
And he calls on us to use our faith and trust him in the heat of storm.
He says to us, just as he did to Peter, “Get out of the boat and come to me in trust. I know the storm is rough and all seems hopeless. But come to me, and I’ll help you rise above the waves.” So encouraged, we step out in faith, determined to ride out the storm in confident trust and faith.
But the storm rages on. Some illnesses are never cured. Some marriages never mend. And death brings the searing anguish of separation. So overwhelmed by the continuing storm, we take our eyes off Christ. And we start going under.
“Why did you doubt?” the Lord asks. “Even after I came to you walking on the water! Why would you doubt?” Then he lifts us out of our doubt, out of the threatening water, and into the safety of the boat.
Only THEN does he calm the storm
Christ saw the storm while he was still on shore, and he could have calmed it then. He could have calmed it before calling for Peter to get out of the boat. Or chosen to still the waves as soon as Peter started going under. But he didn’t. Because he uses our storms to teach us important life lessons.
Important lessons in the storms
There are two kinds of storms: storms of correction… and storms of perfection.
Warren Wiersbe
- God uses storms of correction to discipline his children, like he did with Jonah.
- And he uses the perfecting storms to teach us, grow us, and change us.
He wants us to see that the only thing we need really fear is the weakness of our faith. It wasn’t the wind and the waves that took Peter down. It was the doubt that crept in when he took his eyes off the Lord.
And he wants us to see him as God omnipotent. The apostles had seen Christ perform many miracles, but it was only after he calmed the storm that they proclaimed, “You are truly the Son of God!”
We often wonder why the Lord doesn’t prevent trials or take us out of them. But like the scientists who discover new life germinating after hurricanes, storms help our faith germinate and grow too.
So embrace life’s storms. They’re working for our good.
Embrace life’s storms. They’re working for our good – for God uses them to teach us some of his most important lessons.
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¹ 5 Things Hurricanes Can Do That Are Actually Good, The Weather Channel.
Images: Boat in storm from FreeBibleImages.org by LumoProject.com | Wave by Emilio Arano | Woman looking at sea mage by Tiana.
Signora Sheila 
my, My, MY…
“So overwhelmed by the continuing storm, we take our eyes off Christ. And we start going under.”
… yep, been there. Isn’t it crazy that we know what to do, but often, our natural reflex is not to do it… almost like the boys father who said “I believe… help thou mine unbelief.” … a healthy mix of “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” … we really are branches that NEED to remain connected to the vine… for it doesn’t take long to start wilting.
Blessings Sheila & thanks for another wonderful nugget!
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Yes Mike, it’s when we take our eyes off Christ that we start going under. Life’s storms come, and sometimes with such fury, that we can’t see him. And of course, as you say, if we haven’t been abiding, we lose our grip and go under. It is crazy when we know what we should do (abiding), and should have been doing all along. Thankfully though, no matter how many times we stumble Christ continues to stretch out his arm and bring us up!! He is so good!!
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My greatest fear, like you said, is losing my faith. Storm or no storm I can’t give up the faith. Thank you for sharing your wise words.
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I hear you, Lorie. And that’s why we need to count on the Lord’s keeping power. I remember as very young Christians asking our pastor who was right: the Calvinists or the Armenians? He wisely answered “In holding on, I am held.” That has helped us a lot. Yes, we need to hold to Christ. But he is also holding us, snd his grip is sure!! Even in storms.
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Such wise insights you draw from this familiar story, Sheila. One example: “the only weakness we need to fear is the weakness of our faith.” I also want to remember: “Embrace life’s storms–they’re working for our good.” Thank you, Sheila!
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Thanks Nancy! Yessss, these are things we need to remember while in the storm. It’s just they seem to so easily slip away. May God strengthen our often weak faith!
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This is amazing! As one who lives in the land of storms and hurricanes, this information was a wonderful “But God” realization. Storms are part of life; we can’t live without them. But I do love how you talk about correcting storms and perfecting storms–so true! God uses all the storms–He wastes nothing. But you’re right–in the middle, when all I can see are the waves, focusing on His goodness is tough. Thanks for this great reminder!
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Wow, don’t you just love it when God brings those “But God” moments? I was also amazed to know that hurricanes bring good. That seemed impossible! I love that bit from Wiersbe; all is good in God’s hands. For as you say, God wastes nothing!! And thank you, my friend, you just gave me the title for my next post! (And here’s to hoping that the hurricane season won’t be too bad this year. 🙏🏻)
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Dear Sheila,
Thank you for the follow on my blog. I’m very glad to have found you, because I too, as somewhere in my archives probably testifies, am married to an Italian, from Modena (albeit originally Nigeria). Although my Italian is negligible, I love the country and I love the gospel, so maybe one day we will do as you have done if it’s God’s will! Keep up the good work, and God bless,
Robert
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Thank you Robert for finding me first! Wow what an awesome cultural mix! No matter where the Lord may lead, just work on keeping your first love for him. If he wants anything else from you, he will open all the right doors! God bless you and your family!
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Amen, thank you, and the Lord bless you and yours 🙂
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Amen! This would explain why in some of the greatest storms, I’ve felt the most peace.
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I know, it’s amazing isn’t it? Years ago my hubby had a very serious chainsaw accident when it cut into his neck. Missed the jugular by about an inch. Even the surgeon said it’s a miracle he’s alive, and he could have remained paralyzed. But the Lord have us both such great peace in that storm. A peace that surpassed all understanding!! Be blessed!
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Amen!!!! Praise God for being there!
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So true. The storm drives me to God. Wonderful reminder, Sheila! Thank you!
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I so often need that reminder too Lynn. Thankfully his hand is always extended toward us! Be blessed!
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A great reminder that we need to rise above the storm with God and just trust Him through it. It is scary in the storm, but often it looks great once we are out of it. Great illustration on the hurricanes, never thought of that before. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Tom. I hadn’t known that about the hurricanes either. Never even imagined that so much good could come out of so much destruction!! Be blessed!
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The storm is always a place of growth for us when we simply trust Him. He may come at the beginning, in the middle, or wait until the storm is over to come, but He will always come and teach us. Thanks for reminding us of the importanceof the storms.
Be blessed
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Thanks Pete, it’s a reminder I need often too! Be blessed!
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