Imagine being on a boat in the middle of the sea. You’ve set out with friends, eager to relax and unwind. The sky was clear when you began, and the water calm.
But without warning, the wind picks up. The sky turns dark, and rain begins to pour. Waves crash against the boat, tossing it back and forth, and suddenly you feel overwhelmed by fear. The storm is too much. Your boat feels too small, and you're unsure if you’ll make it through. You cry out for help, but all around you, the storm only grows stronger.
Isn’t life sometimes like that?
We sail through our days under clear skies, feeling comfortable and in control. Then, without warning, we find ourselves in the midst of a storm — a crisis, a loss, a season of deep uncertainty. The waves crash, and the winds howl. And we wonder: Where is God in this storm?
This is a question many of us have faced. It’s a question that arises when we find ourselves in situations that feel too big, too frightening, or too chaotic for us to handle.
Yet, as believers, we hold onto the promise that God is always present, even in the storm.
Today, I want to explore how we can find God in the storm, not just in the calm or in times of blessing, but in the midst of life’s most turbulent moments.
1. Understanding the Nature of Storms
Storms in life are inevitable. Jesus Himself told His disciples in John 16:33, “In this world, you will have trouble.”
We live in a fallen world, and because of that, suffering, pain, and difficulty are a part of our existence. Whether it's the sudden loss of a loved one, financial difficulties, relationship breakdowns, or a diagnosis we never expected, storms come.
Sometimes, we see them forming on the horizon, and other times, they take us completely by surprise.
But it’s important to recognize that storms are not an indication that God has abandoned us. Often, they are simply part of the human experience.
The Bible is full of examples of faithful men and women who encountered severe storms — literal and figurative — in their lives.
Think of Job, who lost everything, or Paul, who was shipwrecked, imprisoned, and beaten. Even the disciples of Jesus found themselves caught in literal storms, like in Mark 4:35-41.
The presence of a storm doesn’t mean the absence of God. In fact, storms can often become the very places where we encounter God most powerfully.
2. Finding God in the Eye of the Storm
One of the most beautiful truths of the Christian faith is that God is not distant from us in our suffering. He does not stand aloof while we struggle. Instead, He enters into the storm with us.
In Mark 4:35-41, we read the story of Jesus and His disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee. A fierce storm arises, and the boat begins to fill with water. The disciples, terrified, wake Jesus, who is sleeping peacefully in the stern, and ask, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” With a word, Jesus calms the wind and the waves, and then turns to His disciples and asks, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
The story illustrates two important truths.
First, that Jesus is present with us in the storm. He was with His disciples in the boat, even though they initially didn’t realize the significance of His presence. They were focused on the storm, on their fear, and on the potential for disaster. But Jesus was right there with them.
The second truth is that Jesus has power over the storm. With just a word, He calms the wind and waves - a reminder that no matter how chaotic or out of control our lives feel, God is still sovereign. He has authority over the storms in our lives, and nothing is beyond His control.
Sometimes, God calms the storm around us, just as He did in Mark 4. But other times, He calms the storm within us.
Even when the circumstances don’t change, He can bring peace to our hearts and minds as we trust in Him.
3. The Purpose of Storms
One of the hardest things to understand is why storms come into our lives.
We often wonder, "Why would a loving God allow me to go through this?" While we may not always have clear answers, Scripture gives us some insight into how God uses storms for His purposes.
First, storms can refine our faith. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Storms test our faith, but they also strengthen it. When we cling to God in the midst of trials, our faith deepens, and we grow in spiritual maturity.
Second, storms can reveal God's power and glory. When God brings us through difficult times, we experience His power in new and profound ways.
Our testimony of His faithfulness can encourage others and point them to Him.
The disciples saw Jesus calm the storm, and their awe and understanding of who He was deepened as a result.
Finally, storms can draw us closer to God. In the midst of suffering, we often turn to God in ways we might not have otherwise. We lean on Him, cry out to Him, and experience His comfort and presence in deeper ways.
4. Trusting God When the Storm Continues
While it’s true that God sometimes calms the storm, we also know that not every storm in life is immediately resolved.
Some storms are long-lasting, and we may wonder why God doesn’t step in and stop the winds and waves.
In these moments, we are called to trust. Trust that God is still with us, even if the storm doesn’t subside. Trust that He is working all things together for good, even when we don’t understand how.
Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting God in the midst of uncertainty, believing that He is good and that He is for us, even when the storm rages on.
One of the most profound acts of faith is continuing to trust in God’s goodness when the storm doesn’t pass as quickly as we’d like. It’s recognizing that even if the circumstances don’t change, God is changing us, molding us into the likeness of His Son.
Conclusion: Anchored in God
When we face the storms of life, we have a choice. We can focus on the wind and waves, allowing fear and doubt to take hold, or we can focus on the One who is with us in the storm — the One who has the power to calm it.
God’s presence is our anchor in the storm. No matter how fierce the winds blow, no matter how high the waves rise, we can find peace in the knowledge that God is with us, He is for us, and He will bring us through the storm, stronger in faith and closer to Him.
