Three Things to Remember During a Storm

Recently, two of my cousins and I traveled to Buffalo, New York for the funeral services of a cousin who was killed in a traffic accident. Although the reason for the visit was not joyous, being with family–many of my cousins I had not seen in quite a few years–was refreshing.

We were careful in selecting the day to travel into the city because there was the prediction of snow on the day we originally planned to leave. We moved our departure date to Saturday and watched the snow blanket the city a few hours after we landed. As we watched the news Monday night, we saw there was a prediction of a storm Tuesday morning. I had been monitoring the weather alerts on my phone and work emails that indicated storms were also expected back home.

I began to prepare for delays and even anticipated spending more time in the airport before flying into North Carolina.

Let’s just say things didn’t go as I anticipated.

While we were waiting at the airport in Buffalo, the winter storm began. We boarded the plane and the pilot announced that we should prepare for a bumpy ride because of the storm.

My natural reaction was to pray.

I anticipated turbulence, but I was not prepared for what we experienced. I kept praying this simple prayer, “Lord, hold this plane in Your hands.”

We landed safely in Detroit and prepared to catch our connecting flight to the Raliegh-Durham airport. Schools were dismissed early at home and I was getting texts from family members asking for updates on our location. When I read the text from one of my co-workers asking was I safe, I knew that I would be praying for the duration of this next flight!

We took off and again were warned that we would experience turbulence during the flight. The shaking was so strong I told my cousin that I was seasick! 

I was so grateful when we landed!

As we drove home that night, I thought about the storms that we face daily. We flew out of one storm into another and to be honest, life is like that sometimes.

As our elders would say, “If it ain’t one thing, it’s another!’

Although that may be the way life presents itself at times, there are three truths we can rest in:

GOD UNDERSTANDS THE STORMS

Navigating the storms of life is taxing. A consistent and dedicated prayer life keeps us grounded during the roughest storms, but it doesn’t exempt us from experiencing the impact of the storms.

If we are leaving a storm, in a storm, or preparing to enter a storm, we have to remember the faithfulness of God in previous seasons. Our ability to rest and trust in God during current storms is linked to the testimony we acquired in previous storms.

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” Psalm 107:29 NIV

GOD HAS HIS HAND ON YOU

As I prayed for God to keep His hand on the plane, I also must pray that God keep His hand upon me. As we navigate storms, we cannot faint. Despair may present itself, but we must ask God to remind us of the lesson He is teaching us as we move through the storm.

“But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.” Isaiah 64:8 NKJV

GOD DOESN’T CHANGE–EVEN WHEN THE WINDS DO

There is a reassurance that we can rely on, God doesn’t change. We may be redirected in life, we may face hurt and disappointments from others, but God doesn’t change. His character and attributes remain unchanged. Despite life’s turbulent storms that rock us to the core, God can still be trusted.

When we don’t know if we can handle another hit, God’s tender love remains.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

Storms in life are inevitable. We can be prepared and grounded by maintaining a life of prayer and worship.

It is His word that keeps us in every storm. That is a truth we can rest in.

What is a lesson you have learned in a recent storm?