Feeling caught in life’s storms? Major changes in life can bring anxiety, but the Bible offers encouragement for times of stress and struggle. Using the metaphor of a hurricane, this series gives direction and hope through God’s Word for the storms of life. Build your life on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ and trust his promises to help you prepare, persevere, and recover through any challenge.
Words of Hope
Day 1
Scripture: Luke 6:6-49
Storms of Change
When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. (v. 48)
As I write this, it’s hurricane season in the Atlantic. These massive storms spiral their way across sea and land, and in Tampa, Florida, where I live, they are a very real threat. Depending on the storm’s size and where and when it hits, the effect can range from a day or two of windy rain to blowing anything not anchored down across town and flooding over rooftops.
Like a hurricane, any major change in our lives, good or bad, can threaten to blow us off our foundations and flood us with anxiety. Sustaining a debilitating injury, getting married, death of a loved one, and retirement are some examples of the major changes we can encounter. What was comfortable, or at least familiar, has turned into something different that we may or may not want. In our reading today, the same storm hit both houses. The difference in how the house weathered the storm was due to how and where it was built. The house represents our lives and how we live them. The rock, or foundation, represents Jesus, and the words represent what Jesus instructs.
If we build our lives on Jesus, accepting him as our Savior and progressively aligning our actions with his will, then, when the storms of life break against us—which they surely will—our lives are not destroyed. What was once familiar may be changed, but our lives are secure on the foundation of Jesus.
As you pray, ask the Lord to help you build your life on him.
Day 2
Scripture: Psalms 42
Tropical Depression
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (v. 11)
With the right conditions, the thunderstorms in a tropical disturbance can organize and start to circulate around a low-pressure center. It’s then classified as a tropical depression, assigned a number, and watched for further development because most will sustain winds above 38 mph and become tropical storms.
I can usually sail through minor disturbances like vacation planning, a flat tire, dinner party preparations, or another backache, without my spiritual peace getting too rippled. But when several encircle me at the same time, it seems like an organized assault. Waves of despair mount to crash against me. In our reading today, the psalmist also feels oppressed and wonders where God is. He yearns for God’s presence, but is bewildered at his downcast soul, the turmoil within, and the taunting he hears. Joyous times are distant memories.
During these threatening storms of despair, we can stir up hope by having a talk with ourselves. Twice the psalmist asks his soul why it is so troubled (vv. 5, 11). He then counsels truth to his soul by urging it to remember God’s salvation and steadfast love, and to hope in and praise God. These truths reorient our focus, so even as we hear taunts in our mind that God is absent or we don’t feel his presence, we can hope and praise God by remembering his love and salvation and how he has gotten us through these times in the past.
As you pray, praise God for his steadfast love and salvation knowing that he has not and never will leave you.
Day 3
Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34
Spaghetti Models
Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow. (v. 34)
Once a storm is named, models are made predicting the storm’s path, timing, and wind speed. These are called spaghetti models, because they look like several strands of colored spaghetti. The storm is too far away to know the exact path, so the models can concurrently show different possible outcomes; a couple strands depict the storm coming straight at Tampa Bay, another several hitting other sides of the Gulf of Mexico, and a few more strands spiraling out into the Atlantic.
We also have something like spaghetti models in our minds, creating anxiety as we worry about the future. Rumors of layoffs, a new physical symptom, or your daughter announcing she thinks she’s found her soulmate—there is no way to foresee the exact path these events will take as they develop; and sometimes, we add to the anxiety by fearing the worst.
In our reading, Jesus is telling us to not be anxious about the future because our heavenly Father knows exactly what we need. Jesus says to “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (v. 33). Getting to know Jesus and learning from him must be our first priority. When we fill ourselves up with what Jesus teaches, he helps us untangle the spaghetti to identify the strands we can toss away, those to set aside until more is known, and those requiring attention now.
As you pray, get to know Jesus better and ask him to help you untangle the “spaghetti models” in your life.
Day 4
Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17
Yard Debris
. . . bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you. (v. 13)
Wind damage from hurricanes is often caused by debris snatched up and launched like missiles. When the last hurricane threatened, we quickly inspected our yard and removed things like fallen branches, the pile of unused plastic planters by our garage, and scrap boards in our side yard. Cleaning up this trash was a chore we should have done earlier—if we had, we would have enjoyed an unobstructed yard in better weather.
Unresolved offenses, such as careless words, arguments, and selfish actions are like spiritual trash. When life is calm, we might hide or try to ignore them. But our closest relationships, those with God and loved ones, can be obstructed by the litter in some way. When storms of change whip through, this spiritual debris of hidden resentments and unforgiveness can be snatched up in the turbulence and launched at one another causing extensive damage in our lives and relationships.
Our reading from Colossians points us towards a better way, towards a healthy way of clearing away spiritual trash so that we can enjoy unobstructed relationships with God and others. Paul instructs us to bear with one another and to forgive. This is practicing love, which not only removes spiritual debris, but builds each other up and binds us together in unity with God, where we are better prepared to persevere during storms of change.
As you pray, ask God to help you resolve offenses with others and live in his peace.
Day 5
Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33
Face the Storm
Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. (v. 29)
The bathroom faucet broke. My osteopenia worsened to osteoporosis. A long-time friend died. Our house insurance went up 40 percent. Storms in life are often a tumult of many troubles. It seems as soon as we get through one, two more assail us. During these times, I sometimes question if I’ve lost my way. I can feel alone and assaulted by the wind and waves.
The disciples were terrified to see Jesus walking on water through the storm, but Jesus said, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Peter responded, bravely. Jesus speaks to us in the midst of our turmoil too, and also tells us to not be afraid. Like Peter, our desire is to be by God’s side when we face these storms.
It took courage for Peter to walk on the water to Jesus. But when Peter saw the wind, fear took over. He began to sink and called on the Lord to save him. Jesus reached out and took hold of him while the wind continued to rage. Only when they got into the boat did the wind cease.
When we focus on the tumult of troubles engulfing us, fear and despair can threaten to drag us under and drown our faith. Yet, when we call on Jesus he reaches out and rescues us in the midst of these storms. The troubles may not cease immediately, but hand-in-hand he brings us through them.
As you pray, know that as you face your storms of life Jesus is holding your hand.
Day 6
Scripture: Psalms 34
Praise the Lord!
My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. (v. 2)
I am always relieved after a hurricane spirals away. There may be debris littering the yard and repairs to deal with, but the clamor of the wind ceases, and the sun breaks through the retreating bands of clouds. I am also relieved when storms in my life come to a resting point.
Psalm 34 refers to 1 Samuel 21:10-15, where David escapes danger by feigning madness in the presence of the king of Gath. David could have attributed his close call to his quick thinking, Abimelech’s gullibility, or just plain luck. When our life storms dissipate and we begin to relax into the “new normal,” it can be easy to ascribe the outcome to ourselves, others, circumstances, or good fortune.
But David realized that it was God who heard him when he cried for help. It was God who protected him during his storm. It was God who answered him, calmed his fears, and delivered him. And because David knew it was God that saved him, he would continually be thankful and boast to others about what God had done for him.
When we see the winds calm and the sun break through the receding clouds of events that have changed our lives, let us realize that it is God’s caring protection and deliverance that has brought us through. And then, let us boast about God to others so they, too, can be glad!
As you pray, praise God for calming life’s storms and delivering you, and commit to telling others.
Day 7
Scriptures: Genesis 1:31, Genesis 2:1-3
Time for Refreshing
On the seventh day he rested and was refreshed. (Exod. 31:17)
Hurricanes wear me out. The week preceding we’re unsure of the path yet need to spend the time and energy to prepare. Maybe we evacuate or maybe we stay during the storm, but either way, the overwhelming ferocity of these tempests leaves us feeling washed out. Immediately after the storm we must deal with any cleanup, critical repairs, or lingering damages. It’s fatiguing. Like hurricanes, major changes in life can leave me feeling emotionally and spiritually drained when the severity of adjustments and activities has calmed.
To say God was busy during the six days of creation is a colossal understatement. Out of nothing, God created everything. He created the universe, galaxies, planets, and stars. He created our earth with all its beauty of mountains, oceans, and lands. He created the air we breathe and the water we drink. He created all creatures from the microscopic plankton to the behemoth elephant. He created space, gravity, and all the elements and forces of nature. He created Adam and Eve.
On the seventh day, God took time to rest and be refreshed. I can imagine God walking in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve enjoying the birds, animals, plants, and each other. God wants to refresh you and give you rest after an exhausting time in your life. So take the time to walk in a garden, visit with a friend, or play with your kids, grandkids, or pets; and be refreshed!
As you pray, ask God to refresh your spirit and restore your soul.