Thank You for the Storm

Hebrews 6:17-20 (NLT), So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Many of you who are reading this are facing terrible storms in your life. Maybe it’s a broken marriage, broken family, a battle with depression and anxiety, money problems, or health issues. Whatever it may be, these storms eventually begin to fight against the hope you have in Jesus.

How will you ever make it through this storm?

In Matthew 8, the disciples faced this type of fear as well. While they were crossing a lake in their small boat, the weather took a turn for the worse. Their boat, and their lives, were in danger. In desperation, they went to Jesus for help – but He was asleep!

Do you ever feel like Jesus is asleep when you need Him the most?

Not knowing what to do, they cried out to Him for help. But when Jesus woke up, He rebuked them. “O you of little faith,” he said.

Then He calmed the storm.

His response was a lesson about where we are to turn when storms arise in our lives: He was there with them, why were they afraid? Why are we afraid, knowing He is with us?

It’s the presence of Jesus that we need. The principles of faith are good, but when the storm comes I need His presence.

Too often, we think our challenges mean that God doesn’t care about what’s going on in our lives.

That’s what the disciples thought, until Jesus calmed the raging sea. He taught them, and us, a beautiful lesson: If the storm never came, you wouldn’t know that I am your anchor in the midst of the storm.

Andrae Crouch wrote a song, several years ago, entitled “Through It All.” It says: I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys, I thank Him for the storms He brought me through. For if I’d never had a problem, I wouldn’t know God could solve them, I’d never know what faith in God could do. Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God. Through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

What storm are you facing today?

All of us desire the good times, the mountaintops – but where we really learn the character of God is in the storm, in the valley. In our difficulties He proves Himself faithful. In our difficulties, He shows His power. Had you not gone through this, you wouldn’t know what you know about Him. It’s what we learn about Him in the storm that will carry us through into eternity.

So, we sing again with Andrae Crouch: I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys, I thank Him for the storms He brought me through. For if I’d never had a problem, I wouldn’t know God could solve them, I’d never know what faith in God could do.