Hope In The Storm

We’ve all been there, caught in the storm watching the floodwaters rise, and wondering how we got here. Where is God in the storm? When my arms are weary and my soul is battered when life stole from me and left me breathless with its brutality. When the storms of life sweep in steal our peace. 

Leaning on God when life is overwhelming, what does that look like? It sounds good on the surface, but what about practical application? How do you lean on God? And Why does it make a difference?  What happens when you reach the end of your rope and you feel like you can’t go on? On our own, in our own strength, we can’t get through the hard times, it’s just too much. Too heavy a burden to carry. But we were never meant to “make it on our own”. This is why we need God’s strength not just as a cool phrase on a sticky note or bookmark but every single day of our lives to get us through.

The parable of the Prodigal Son, is one most of us are familiar with, at least in passing. At some point we’ve heard a sermon on the prodigal son, or done a Bible study on the Prodigal son, or perhaps stumbled upon it while reading your Bible. You remember the story of an older son and a younger son, the younger’s rebellion and wild living, and the mercy of their father when the rebellious son returns. But there is so much to learn about God’s love from the story of the prodigal son. 

Paul’s shipwreck in the Bible isn’t one we tend to hear a lot about in church, but it’s a story that we can take so much away from. It’s an incredible story of enduring someone else’s storm, and the consequences it brings, while holding firmly to our faith. It stands a beacon through time to impact us in the midst of our own life’s storms, with powerful reminders that He is God in the storm.

The wind buffets your face, drawing tears to our eyes with its harsh brutality. It mocks us as another wave draws near threatening to devour you. Your hands strain at the oars in a useless attempt against the power of the storm. Your raw hands tremble, and your soul is weary, your heart aches.

The story of Jacob in the Bible and his encounter with God is a powerful reminder of who God is when we are going through a storm. Jacob had made some poor choices which caused him to flee his family, and home to save his life. Through the story of Jacob’s ladder, we get a wonderful picture of how God is always with us.