Storms in our Lives

Mark 4:35-41The waters closed in over me; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped around my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever.
Jonah 2:5-6a

Our lives are much like that at times. Regardless of how experienced we are in anything, there comes a time when we are place in extreme situations that even our experience does not help. In life there are three different types of storms; ·

Situational storms. This is when circumstances in your life goes wrong. For example, You start the day on a wrong foot and it just gets worse throughout the day. Or you got dismissed from work and on the way home you have a motor car accident which lands you in a hospital and the list goes on.·
Relational Storms. This is when relationship with people suddenly goes haywire. What you thought was a picture perfect relationship suddenly falling apart all around you and you can't stop it. These are people related.·
Emotional Storms. These are more personal, like what Job experienced in the Old Testament. The turmoil that are going on inside you, which are enough to drive one crazy. Job 30: 23.

In Matt 8:23 - 27, we read of the disciple's experience at the sea of Galilee. There was panic and unbelief everywhere in the boat that night. Beloveds, if this was enough to frighten the most experienced fishermen on the boat like Peter, James and John, then obviously it must have been a huge one indeed.

Sometimes the storms that come our way vary with intensity. Some are strong, some are weak. Sometimes, they seem to continually come, uninterrupted, while at other times there are spaces in between. Either way, we must be prepared for them. Have you ever found yourself thanking God for the rain that came with the storm the night before? Good things can come from the storms in our lives, sometimes we can see how it all works out and sometimes we can't. Again, we must have faith in God that He is in control and will take care of us, no matter what.

Sometimes the storms of our lives sneak up on us like the tornado that hit Fort Smith and Van Buren a few years ago. No sirens. No warnings. But, sometimes, we know for days that we're about to be put in a vulnerable position. The hurricanes that are so destructive often meet boarded up windows and completely empty buildings because people had plenty of time to prepare. It's the same spiritually. There are times when situations arise that are totally surprising. Hearing the words, "You have cancer," would be one of those times.

On the other hand, there are storms in our lives that we have seen coming for a long time. Watching your child leave home would be one of those. Either way, we must be prepared. We can't wait until the storm is ripping the roof of our house to decide where our safe place is. If we don't make that decision before the crisis hits, we likely won't make the right decision. When we wait, we rely on emotion, adrenaline, and information that is only of the moment, which is usually misleading. We must choose the safety and shelter that Jesus provides. There is no other shelter that can compare with the benefits of His.