Everyone goes through storms of life, but not everyone weathers the storms well. The Bible is filled with verses about storms, both natural and allegorical of our lives. Perhaps the best known 'storm story' is that recounted in Luke 8.
(V.22-25, NIV) One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
Are we so different today? All seems to be going along fine throughout a given day and then the phone call comes and it's not good news. The car breaks down on the side of the road. The baby suddenly develops a fever. The bill comes in the mail and is twice the anticipated amount. A routine check-up results in being referred to a specialist because a lump was found. The secure job with a reputable company dissolves overnight and the explanation given is a lay-off slip. These are all storms of life. Psalm 107:29 foretold the power of the Lord to control the storms. "He made the storm be still and the waves of the sea were hushed."
When things are smooth sailing, it is easy to put your trust in the Lord. It's when sudden squalls come that we panic. If you've ever been in a boat on the water when a squall arises, you've felt the panic in the natural setting. Before we judge the disciples too harshly, we need to remember that they dealt with the same human emotions as we do, and their response was a natural response.
Jesus didn't rebuke their natural response. He rebuked their lack of faith. They'd seen Jesus come through time and time again, and perform miracles for them and around them. Yet, when the squall arose and they saw Jesus sleeping-fear set in and they concluded they were in danger of drowning.
Have you ever panicked in a situation and become fearful, forgetting that Jesus is the Master of the Wind, the one who can calm the storm? Or, do you call out to Him when the winds start to pick up and the squalls come and seek refuge in the Lord?
May Psalm 57: 1 serve as a reminder to seek refuge under the wings of the Almighty, who is more than able to calm the seas or carry us safely through the storm to the other side. "Be merciful to me O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the storms of destruction pass by."
When you find yourself in a situation such as those listed above, remember that your soul can take refuge in the storm. Put your faith in the Lord, the Master of the Wind, and trust that He will deliver you from the storm.