Who Calms The Storms In Your Life

Who Calms The Storms In Your Life

When it comes to storms, like hurricanes, and tornadoes, we are told to take precautions, be prepared, make wise decisions, stock up on supplies, and do everything we can to keep our families safe. Yet in reality there is no way to tell what the "storm" is actually going to do. Hurricanes and tornadoes are very unpredictable and can shift direction and change in strength in a moments notice. This means that those living in the path of these storms are dealing with a situation that is totally out of their control.

In this life we will have to face the fact that there will always be situations that are out of our control. For example: We cannot control someones sin or peoples decisions that can hurt us or cause us great difficulty. We can try to prevent illness or accidents but there will be times we just get sick or get injured. We may consider these situations "storms" because they can have a major impact on our lives.   

The only thing we can control is how we prepare and react to the "storms" of this life. When a storm comes there is a chance we can experience extreme difficulty, pain and suffering and even death.  When it comes to questions about tragedies, many will ask, if there is a God, where is He in the midst of the "storm"? Or, why would a good God allow innocent people to get hurt,sick or even lose their lives? Or, why doesn't God protect "good" people from evil?

And an even greater question: 
Does the fact that God allows for these tragedies make Him out to be not so good?

The only way we can really answer these questions is to get to know God, His Character, His truth, and desire for His people. The sad reality is, many people really don't have a clue who God really is. 

So what is the best way to get to know God? 
The answer is, God has revealed Himself and His true nature the Bible.

Here are some important things that the Bible will reveal to us:

The Bible: 66 books written by 40 authors under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

     God desires to have a relationship with those He created. 

     God is the creator of all things, and through Christ all things were made 

     (see John Chapter 1). 

     God is Loving, Holy, Just, All powerful, Sovereign, Merciful, etc.

     That God's Word is inerrant. (Without error)

     The Bible reveals all aspects of God's plan, His works, and His Character. 

     The Bible is His-Story!

     The Bible tells us the absolute truth about God and about man.

     The Bible gives us answers to life's most important questions: 

     who we are, why we are here, and is this life all there is?

     The Bible tells us that sin separates us from God. The only one that can reconcile us back to God is Jesus. There is no work we can do to earn God's favor or pay Him back for the cost of our own sin. 

     We learn that Christianity is not a philosophy of life; it is not based on theory or speculation; it is not how well we follow rules and regulations. Christianity centers on our relationship with Jesus Christ.  

     The Bible tells us how we can have a personal relationship with Jesus. 

     The Bible reveals that once we receive Christ into our lives our sin is forgiven. It is Christ's Work on the cross that has made our salvation possible. Once we are saved the Holy Spirit indwells in us and we are transformed us into a new creation. We have a new God given purpose, and God will give us special work to do for His kingdom. 

            The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) have recorded Jesus' 
            own  words, His thoughts, His feelings, His desires and His truths. 
            These Gospels reveal Jesus' true character. The Books show how Jesus
            modeled obedience, servant leadership, humility, and a sacrificial love 
            that is second to none. They revealed His divine nature and relationship
            with God the Father.

So what does this mean for us?

When our knowledge of Jesus is transformed into a saving relationship with Jesus, our lives will be impacted for all eternity. And when we take to heart all God has said and promised, our perspective will be awakened to the point to where we will experience a greater sense of hope and joy only possible with 
God's saving grace and revelation. God's Word will transform us from the inside out. And that is exactly part of God's plan for His people.

      

     The Bible also tells us that living in sin has consequences. Sin changed the world forever and tainted God's perfect creation. When sin entered the world death became a reality along with pain, suffering and evil. 

So when difficulties come, and we are wondering why God would allow it, a follower of Jesus can process the "storm" through a new Godly perspective which can only come from God's Word and the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit plays a very important role in a believers life. Not only is the Holy Spirit the mark of salvation, He is the Advocate, Counselor, Comforter, and Helper to a follower of Jesus. Also, followers of Jesus can also receive good Godly counsel and perspective from other believers. 

It is also important that when life seems out of control, believers can turn to God's promises for their comfort and hope. Those who have a strong faith and understanding in all that God has promised, are able to manage and navigate the difficult storms in this life because God helps His people with understanding and comforts them with His presence. Many times followers of Jesus will express how God comforted them, and in the midst of their storm. How they experienced a peace that transcends all understanding far beyond normal human perspective.

There is a great story from the Bible about how we are to handle the storms of this life:

Matthew 8:23-27 New International Version 1984 

Jesus Calms the Storm

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”   He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

OK, so lets unpack this passage:

The Good:

The disciples followed Jesus into the boat.

The disciples called on the Lord when they felt they were in danger.

The disciples realized Jesus was more than just a man. He had the power to control nature and were in awe of His power.

The Bad:

The disciples show a lack of faith, fearing that they would die, even while in the presence of Jesus.

The disciples did not follow Jesus’ example by remaining calm during the storm.

Even though the disciples referred to Jesus as Lord, they still did not fully understand His power and who He really was.

The Uncontrollable:

The Storm

The Controllable:

The disciples amount of faith and trust in Jesus during a dangerous storm

The disciples should have followed Jesus’ example and remained calm but because they allowed their fear to overtake them, they woke Jesus up to save them from what they thought was going to be their certain death.

So what can we learn:

God is in control even when the events surrounding our lives seem out of control. God is sovereign over the circumstances we face. If we trust Him, He will calm the inner storms of our life, and give us the perspective and strength we need to live abundantly in a broken fallen world.  

Philippians 1:6 New Living Translation (NLT)

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Romans 8:1 New Living Translation (NLT)

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Because we are human, there is a tendency to rely on our own instincts and wisdom. We are normally self-focused emotional and intellectual beings who process life apart from God. We tend to trust ourselves more so than God because we have a desire to be in control of our own lives.

The Bible tells us:

Proverbs 3:7-8 New International Version 1984 

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones

The above verse from proverbs can help us put some more perspective on how we are to trust God. The verse tells us not to be wise in our own eyes. I think it would be more profitable to trust in God who is Holy, wise, faithful, loving, all powerful and all knowing, rather than trust in ourselves, where we are imperfect, sinful, self-centered and strong willed. Therefore, the decisions we make without God in this life may not always be beneficial because they may tainted by temptation and momentary emotion, not Godly wisdom and perspective. The world will tempt us to yolk with evil which can lead to our spiritual and physical destruction. That is why we need God's help to see when we are going astray. 

The Bible tells us that fearing the Lord, which is centered around awe and reverence of His power and Holiness, is a healthier way to live. 

Here are some of God's Promises that we can count on:

Ephesians 1:5 New Living Translation 

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Philippians 4:6-7 New Living Translation 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 7:7-8 New International Version 1984 

Ask, Seek, Knock

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 11:28-29 New International Version 1984 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Ephesians 1:13 New International Version 1984  
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 6:19 New Life Version 

Do you not know that your body is a house of God where the Holy Spirit lives? God gave you His Holy Spirit. Now you belong to God. You do not belong to yourselves.

Jesus explains the truth about the “living water” He gives:

John 7:37-39 New Living Translation 

Jesus Promises Living Water

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”  (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

John 4:13-14 New International Version 1984 

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Once the living water begins to flow in us, the Holy Spirit can guide us, teach us, counsel us and sanctify us so we become more like Jesus in character and mind.

Titus 3:5

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

John 14:26 New International Version 1984 

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 16:13-14 New International Version 1984 

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Ephesians 4:22-24 New Living Translation  

throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Trusting God means allowing the Holy Spirit to be in control:

Galatians 5:16 Amplified Bible 

But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).

So trusting God means living a life dedicated and set apart to Him so He can produce in us a new mind and a new heart:

Romans 12:1-2 New Life Version 

Christian brothers, I ask you from my heart to give your bodies to God because of His loving-kindness to us. Let your bodies be a living and holy gift given to God. He is pleased with this kind of gift. This is the true worship that you should give Him. Do not act like the sinful people of the world. Let God change your life. First of all, let Him give you a new mind. Then you will know what God wants you to do. And the things you do will be good and pleasing and perfect. 

Trusting God means that even when we are faced with difficult situations we remember what God has accomplished on the cross and rejoice in that fact. Plus we know God said that He has a good purpose for all those who love him.

John 16:33 New International Version 1984 

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Romans 8:28 New International Version 1984 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

Trusting God means not leaning on our own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version 1984 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 

So when we are faced with storms in this life, we will either trust God or trust in ourselves. What followers of Jesus understand is that trust and faith in God is important to having peace with God and peace with our circumstances. When we live a God centered life we gain eternal perspective which reassures us of the hope we have in God’s plan for our eternity. A believers eternity is secure regardless of how crazy this world gets. For followers of Jesus, the fact remains that even in the midst of the storm, we can still trust God. Remember this: God has a an awesome plan for our lives now and for all eternity;

Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version 1984 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 New Living Translation (NLT)

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

  

Ephesians 2:8-10 New Living Translation (NLT)

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Revelation 21:3-4 New Living Translation (NLT)

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.

God's Word really does answer the important questions about God and about life.

So when God allows a tragic event to take place, only He really knows the eternal purpose behind it. We struggle to see that same purpose only because we are limited in perspective and knowledge and we are not God. Remember, we are His creation, therefore, He is still the only one Sovereign over all things. 


Here is a passage that may shed some light on this: 

Isaiah 55: 8-9 New International Version 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Also, God was not required to save us or rescue us from our sin. He decided to do so out of love for His creation.

Romans 5:8 New International Version

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  

This side of heaven does not answer all our questions, especially the ones that involve suffering and death, but it does tells us that God's original design for His creation was corrupted. The sin that entered the world altered God's perfect creation. But maybe even the greater point is that God did something about it and planned a rescue mission to save people from the consequences of that original sin. Therefore, we have a God who demonstrates sacrificial love through Jesus Christ in the midst of our tragic sin nature. He paid the price for our salvation, a price we are unable to pay.  

God is always trying to get our attention. God will sometimes us a "storm" to draw us to Himself. Maybe that is the only part we can truly understand.  The truth is God, out of love for those He created, desires to save us from the tragedy of our fallen nature and eternal separation from Him. So we can conclude God will us a "storm" for a good purpose even though at the time it may not seem that way. 

It is also good to note that we create our own storms that we have to take responsibility for. Not everything bad that happens to us is due to someone or something else. 

Also, we may not like God's plan. We may be critical of the things He allows to happen. The only way to be at peace with God is to accept the way He wants things to be and surrender our will in favor of His. Remember, He is the Creator, Sovereign over all things He made. Jesus told His disciples that in order for them to follow Him they must deny themselves or die to self. 

Matthew 16:24-25 New International Version (NIV)

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

It is also good to remember this when self interest is the most important thing:

Mark 8:36 New International Version (NIV)

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

One thing I do know from experience is that we are not capable of creating a perfect world for ourselves. We are flawed to the point that if we are in our own world we are going to mess it up. It is OK to struggle with God. It is OK that we fully don't understand everything. It is OK to cry out to God with questions and concerns. 
That is what God is looking for, a real authentic relationship with His people.  


The one thing that separates us from God is sin. But God sent Jesus to reconcile us back to Himself.

The truth about sin and the truth about God's love:

Romans 6:23 New International Version (NIV)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:1-5 New International Version (NIV)

Made Alive in Christ

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.


What we need to remember about God is that He sent Jesus to pay the price for our sin. He wants to be with in relationship with His people. He wants His people to live with Him in Heaven for all eternity. This to me seems like a good, gracious, loving and merciful God. So even in the midst of the "storm" we have a lot to be thankful for. 

My prayer is that we will all let God be the calm and peace in the midst of the storms we face!

God is good even in the midst of the storm!

Just Sayin........................Dave