Lessons in the Storm: God is Sovereign

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. (Psalm 107:29)

Everyone loves a sea when the waves are gentle and the boat is under control. An adventure at sea is thrilling, until a storm rises suddenly, leaving no time to get back to shore. Even the most experienced sailors cannot out smart nature every time.

Life has seasons of storms for everyone. Storms do not care about titles, position, wealth, education, lineage, or many of the things that humans use to rise above social despondency. Though we try, we cannot control life completely.

In the gospels (Matthew 8, Mark 4), we find the disciples at sea, in the midst of a storm, along with Jesus who was asleep on a pillow. The boat was about to sink, the waves were pouring in, and the disciples were scared for their lives. Yet Jesus was at peace. It’s important to remember, He was in the boat, in the storm, along with them. They did not have the modern navigation equipment of our day, and the storm would have blocked the view of the stars they used to guide them. They were completely at the mercy of the sea.

When things get out of control in our lives, often we are overcome with fear. Fear causes all types of irrational thoughts and behaviors. These thoughts can overwhelm us to the point where we can think of nothing but our trouble. When we live in fear, it is impossible to walk in faith.

In midst of our storm, it’s vital that we remember though we are out of control, God never is. God is sovereign. It does not matter how impossible the situation is to us; God is not limited to human ability. Nor is He taken by surprise. He knows every part of our lives, each and every day, including the difficulties. He is aware of the sudden squalls, and the far-reaching hurricanes of our lives. He is aware we are not all-powerful.

In that moment, the disciples had the Creator of the seas with them. Though they were not in control, they were not alone. And though the tempest raged, He never lost His ability to speak, “Peace, be still.” If they would have trusted in His actions, they too could have laid their head down and rested in the midst of the storm. The issue wasn’t that they needed to get out of the storm, He was teaching them to trust Him in the midst of them storm.

Perhaps you are facing a tempest today. You are not in control. You are fearful. You are questioning why God isn’t doing anything. You question His goodness in the midst of your situation…His goodness to you. Perhaps you are just looking at the wrong thing. Instead of watching the storm and screaming to get out of it, trust your Creator who is with you, at peace. He is not fretting. He knows your end. He is wanting you to rest with Him. Pray for courage, not to get out of the storm, but to lay down and rest with God as He keeps you through it. He is Sovereign. He is always in control.

Sometimes the greatest miracle isn’t that something amazing happens to remedy to your situation, but that God simply gives you peace, and reveals to you a deeper level of relationship He desires to have with you as you endure through it.

There are lessons to be learned in the storm. 

Father, I don’t know what storm my brother or sister is in today. I’m sure it’s frightening. I know the waves are crashing in and the clouds have taken away any source of direction they’re looking for. I’m sure they have been crying out for help, yet the terror of the storm is overpowering their voice. But You are with them. You hear them. You know their end. You know what they are capable of enduring, even they do not. You are at peace. It’s hard for us to understand that when everything we know is out of control. Please remind them that they are not alone. And if You are not afraid, they have no reason to be. You care for them. You do what is best for them, because You truly are good. When they lay their head on their pillow to sleep tonight, help them find the courage to forget the storm, close their eyes to the waves and their ears to the wind, and simply rest with You. Remind them, that You still speak to the winds.

Colleen Clabaugh
World Network of Prayer