Have you ever wondered how to survive the storms of life?
In the span of 7 short days, two friends went through what felt like category 4 or 5 hurricanes. Anita lost her husband, the father to her three small children. Meghan got the devastating news that her two-year-old had leukemia.
Having been through my own life storms and living to tell about them, I want to assure you that you can survive and sometimes thrive in those turbulent times.
Surviving the storms of life is like surviving a hurricane
As sure as hurricane season comes and goes, so will the storms of life. If You can read this devotional, then you fit into one of three groups.
- You have already been through at least 1 life-storm
- You are going through a life-storm right now OR
- You will face a life-storm in the future
How big is your storm?
Anita is learning to cope with her personal loss, but also trying to be there for her children who don’t really understand “why daddy died and left them”.
Meghan is taking her baby to the hospital 5 days a week for chemotherapy. Some weeks she almost lives at the hospital when little Joshua has neutropenic fevers. She is one exhausted mama hanging on the best she can while trying to comfort her little one.
Anita and Meghan are experiencing some of the worst life-storms. More common are smaller storms, ones that feel like category 1-3 on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale:
- End of a relationship
- Abandonment
- Loss of a job
- An unwanted letter from the IRS
- OR- You fill in the blank _______________________
How the storms of life affect us
I learned to dread hurricane season when I lived in Florida. As storms passed over us we could feel the walls of the house moving. We could hear power transformers exploding and trees falling to the ground.
Those were scary times which usually brought about some kind of change.
Personal storms also bring about change. Regardless of the size or strength, they can wreak havoc with our emotions, strain relationships, and physically drain us. It has taken time to learn how to ride the waves of change instead of resisting them.
When will the storm end?
The good thing about hurricane season is that it only lasts for 6 months out of the year. Relief does come.
In all of our personal storms, we long for relief. Is it possible to have an inner calm, to have inner peace?
Ryan Stevenson wrote and recorded a song in 2016 after he lost his dad to cancer and his twins to miscarriage. He sang:
“In the eye of the storm, you remain in control. In the middle of the war, you guard my soul. You alone are the anchor when my sails are torn. Your love surrounds me in the eye of the storm.”
How to prepare for the storms of life
Physical, emotional and spiritual storms will come our way. It’s not a question of “if” but “when”.
Just as we prepared our home for actual hurricanes, we must prepare our lives for chaotic times.
In the Song, “I Will Fear No More“, one line stands out.
“Even though I’m in the storm, the storm is not in me” (written and recorded by the Afters in 2018)
Those are powerful, liberating words. Storms bring chaos, but Jesus said:
“Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest..” (Matthew 11:28)
“He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:2)
“The Lord watches over His children and He has a pathway through every pain.” (Dr. David Jeremiah, Turning Points Magazine)
Jesus is where the calm can be found. This does not mean we won’t cry. It means that we can have peace because Jesus is in the storm with us, holding us, carrying us if we have Him as our way, our truth, and our life (John 14:6).
Do you know the one who calms the storm within? If not, please call 1-888-NEED-Him, or ‘chat’ at www.chataboutjesus.com. Someone is waiting there to talk to you. Having a solid relationship with Jesus is how to survive the storms of life.
A gift of peace
I would like to give you the scripture cards shown here. They will help remind you of the one who calms our personal storms.
Simply click on the picture to download it. No email required.
If you are looking for further scripture cards or coloring pages, join the community here at the Creator’s Classroom.
Also see the resource page for journal pages, books, and music on finding hope, joy, and peace.
I once saw a plaque that said, “Sometimes God calms the storm; sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.” I’m glad He’s with us no matter the circumstances.
Me too!