If you know me even a little, you know I love storms. I don’t know what it is, but I do! The more thunder and lightning, the better! I even like the way tornadoes electrify the air. I did live smack dab in the middle of tornado alley for a long time as a child. I’ve felt the atmospheric change so many times I can recognize the warning signs before the storm even hits now.
Yeah, I’m a weirdo. Tell me something I don’t know.
Storms fascinate me for a few reasons. They also calm me down. Again, I know I’m weird! But the truth is I find them majestic, powerful, and peaceful. Yes, peaceful. The best I ever sleep is in the midst of a great thunderstorm.
Most people panic when the tornado sirens go off and the storm alerts ping to their phones. I distinctly remember an early morning in college (and I’m talking like 4 am early) when a tornado siren blared through our dorm room, jarring me and my roommate out of much needed sleep. She jerked out of bed, flipping over the side and landing four feet below on the floor. Me? I sat up groggily and slid out of bed on autopilot.
You see, she was from a place that never had tornados, but I knew the drill like the back of my hand. She clambered about the tiny room on high alert while I yawned and padded toward the door half-asleep. She stuffed her arms full of books and bags and shoes and things while I grabbed my trusty Jasmine pillow and a robe. When the poor girl finally made it out the door with me, she almost went for the elevator!
Long story short, I hadn’t even bothered to bring my phone down with me, so I called my mom on a borrowed phone to update her, and the warning passed before eight so we still had to be in classes.
Why do I tell that story? Well, one, I still think it’s funny. But, more importantly, I see that there are two kinds of people. The ones who are inexperienced and wholly unprepared for storms and the ones who are desensitized to them. I wasn’t properly prepared if something truly did happen and my roommate didn’t even know what proper preparation was.
Life has storms, too. And not just the ones with raindrops and high winds. Stormy lives are way harder to navigate, way less exciting, and just as dangerous.
In hurricane season, (yup, I’ve lived in those places, too) people watch the radar and tune into the radio. We can see hurricanes coming and prepare ahead of time. Same thing with snowstorms (haven’t lived there, but my mom and grandmother did!); you know they’re coming. You stock up on food and water, check the generator, flashlights, and find the spare batteries, lighters, and fill the gas can. Fish out a deck of cards to play with by candlelight.
Ideally, we should do the same in our lives. We can see some storms coming and prepare for them before they hit and unleash all that power and majesty right on our tender hearts. But sometimes, sometimes you get no warning. Sometimes the storm hits right when you’re in the middle of the road in a rickety car. Sometimes you have no basement to hunker down in. Sometimes you’re completely blindsided and that storm sends you into an utter panic.
Regardless, we all face storms. They’re inescapable. And, unfortunately, I think it’s much more difficult to be desensitized to the spiritual storms we face than the physical ones here on earth. I’d rather be properly prepared to face the inevitable storms. But how do you prepare for a life storm? How do you get food, water, candles, and cards for the curveballs life throws you?
You arm yourself. Arm yourself not with gas cans and kerosene lamps, but with truths and promises. If we have even the slightest chance of standing strong in the storms, we have to stand on the promises of God. And if you look up and you’re in the middle of a storm already, well, it’s never too late to arm yourself with the protection of God’s promises.
God’s promises give us hope. They remind us that the dawn will break and the bright rainbow will shout out against the clear blue sky. God’s promises are the song of the birds in the crisp, clear, morning light. They strengthen our resolve and fortify our hearts. They prepare us. They protect us.
Jesus walked on water, but do you know why? He did it because He saw the distress of the disciples. He walked toward them, through the raging storm. He walked toward them in the mess. He stepped into the boat, that unstable boat full of panicked men who didn’t even recognize Him. He stretched out His hand and He calmed the raging sea. And He does the same for us, in our storms. He walks toward us, through our mess, through the blinding storms of life. He walks toward us despite our hurt, our confusion, our anger and bitterness. He walks toward us despite the storm and He steps into our boats, into our lives, and He sits beside us. He is with us in the storms.
But what would it be like to be not only prepared for the storms of life, but wholly at peace in the midst of them? To trust God so fully that we can relax in the raging storm? Can you imagine feeling the shift in the air spiritually, knowing the storm is on the horizon? And then resting in spite of the storm? It sounds funny to think you could be at peace in a time where most people panic. It feels counterintuitive. It isn’t natural to usher in the calm when everything around us is falling apart. But with God, all things are possible.
The Bible says to take joy in our troubles, our suffering, our struggles and sorrows. (Rom. 5:3, James 1:2). We are told it’s for our betterment, to strengthen us and draw us closer to God. But how do we take joy in the storms? I believe that preparing, arming ourselves with God’s promises, aligns our spirit with His and that brings us joy. The more you remember His promises, learn them, know them in the depths of your soul, the more you will live them out. God will give you rest in the storms when you rest in His promises, arm yourself and live them out in your everyday life.
So, let’s look at a few promises we can use to arm ourselves.
The Bible says He is with us and that He will rescue us (Jer. 1:8, 19, Prov. 11:8, 2 Peter 2:9). It says He will never leave us nor forsake us. Never (Deut. 31:8, Heb. 13:5). We have no reason to fear! (Isa. 41:10) For if He is with us, then who can stand against us?! (Rom. 8:31, Heb 13:6) We can face anything with the God of the universe on our side, just like David did (1 Sam. 17), just like Daniel did (Dan. 6).
We were knit together in our mothers’ wombs (Psalm 139:14). Think about that for a moment. He knit us together. He is the Creator of the entire universe and He stitched us together, wonderfully.
He knows us even more fully than we know ourselves (Jer. 1:5). He ordained our days, set them in place even before one passed. He has not set us aside, but apart. And He has glorious plans for us, plans we can’t even begin to imagine or fathom (Jer. 29:11). If we believe God is good, then we must believe His plans are, too. Even the ones for us.
He knows the desires of our hearts, and He will give them to us (Psalm 37:4). He knows the hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7, Matt. 10:30).
If we, being evil, know how to give good gifts for our children, how much more shall our Father give us? (Matt. 7:11) If he cares for even the fields and the birds, does He not care infinitely more for us?
He hears us. He listens to us. If we seek Him, we will find Him (Jer. 29:12-13, 1 John 5:15)
He guides our steps (Psalm 16:7, Prov. 16:9), and even we can’t mess that up.
He has redeemed us. We are His. (Isa. 43:1-7) He protects us. He cherishes us! (Psalm 91:14, Zeph. 3:17)
There are so, so many more! I could go on and on! Go! Dive into God’s love letter yourself and revel in the promises He leaves us. Rest in Him. He’s got this. He’s got you. Breathe. Just be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). He works all things for the good of those who are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).
So when that storm rears its ugly head, know that you are not alone. You are far from alone, my friends. And you are prepared. Sharpen your weapon and steady yourself with the anchor of Jesus. Arm yourself with his promises. When the storms seep into your spirit, when you are weary and cry out, when you feel heavy and burdened, rejected and burned, when you begin to lose hope and let that darkness press in on all sides, know this: God’s promises will protect you. They will revive you. He will give you rest when you take up His yoke and lay your burdens at his feet. His promises are a present help in danger. He is the silversmith and He has allowed this storm for a reason. He is working in you, but He has not abandoned you. He works meticulously and never leaves your side through this fire. He is a master craftsman and He knows exactly what He’s doing.
If you cling to His promises, they will bring you peace. True, utter, relieving peace. They will reignite the flame of joy in your spirit. They will lift your burden, clear your vision, and send a shock through your system to get that heart beating again and send some color back into your cheeks!
God’s promises are the eye of the storm. You don’t have to know why. You don’t have to know how. You only need to know Him.
Love always,
Coralie
P.S. Don’t let the enemy get a foothold in your heart! Arm yourself with God’s promises. One of my favorite weapons is music, so check out these truth-filled tunes and let them take root in your heart until you wake up singing them!
Eye of the Storm, Be Still, Standing on the Promises of God, Fully Known, Old Church Choir, The Joy of the Lord
Leave a comment and share some of your favorite promises and songs below!