The Storms of Life
Someday I will live in a cottage by the sea, a place that is calm with a warm, gentle breeze...
That was the opening line from a poem I wrote in 2006 while living in Pittsburgh and feeling melancholy about the endless gray skies.
It had been a lifelong dream of mine to live by the sea, and in October 2021, Sam and I bought that little dream home a few blocks from the ocean’s edge, and just eleven months later, we evacuated with the expectation of a full and devastating loss.
The notifications were subtle at first, nothing too threatening, a tropical storm named Ian was brewing in the Caribbean Sea. Within a few days, Ian intensified and was barreling toward Florida as a life-threatening Category 4 hurricane. My mind was dizzy following the spaghetti models that projected potential paths of destruction. Eventually, Hurricane Ian settled on an eastward shift, placing our community in its direct path. News reports warned of fifteen-foot water walls with storm surges that would be dangerous, powerful and destructive…and perfectly capable of wiping out our home and neighborhood. How do you even prepare for something like this?
We brought outdoor furniture in, sealed windows and doors, and stacked sandbags at every entry point. It was a strange mix of energy and dread as sirens sounded and police patrolled the streets blasting warnings through a PA system, “Evacuate now!”
Fear and worry found a foothold, and the ball of nerves in my stomach grew larger as we raced against the clock to finish our evacuation checklist. We rooted through the house and gathered items that we considered to be most valuable and packed them in the car. As we backed out of the driveway, my mind raced with endless questions. What would happen if we lost our home? What would we do financially? Where would we live? How would we rebuild? I’ve waited so long and worked so hard for this bungalow by the sea, will it be here when we return?
I was powerless to stop the looming violent storm, I felt myself caving deeper into fear and worry, and I knew the only remedy for this kind of fear was to trust in God. Despite terrifying circumstances, I had to trust God with the outcome, whether we lost everything or nothing.
We all face hurricanes in life. They’re named cancer, divorce, death, bankruptcy, chronic illness…I don’t know what you may be fearing or facing, but God knows. He knows exactly what you’re going through, and he loves you and will give you peace in any storm.
Whatever your difficulty or storm, you have two options: You can worry and assume God no longer cares, or you can resist fear and put your trust in him. I encourage you to trust in God’s presence, trust in God’s sovereignty, and trust in God’s love. Cling to the truth that God is good, regardless of what is occurring, and watch how your faith will grow and your heart will quiet down even in the midst of a storm.
John 6:20 | Jesus called out to them, “I am here! Don’t be afraid.” (NLT)
Wanna pray?
God, through it all – the good times and bad – you remain the same and control human events in such a way that those who trust you will find comfort and courage to endure. I pray for every person reading this right now who’s consumed with worry because of something they are fearing or facing – speak to their hearts and remind them of your promise to be with them always. Help us to trust you with every area of our lives, despite any adversity we may face, and let us draw strength and peace from you.