Are you facing an enormous storm in your life? Do your circumstances seem overwhelming? Do you fear the future? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, it is important that you remember that God is bigger than your circumstances. The Bible tells us “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). It’s important to have faith in God even when you’re dealing with any storm in life, but this can be especially difficult when you’re anxious or fearful. This is easier said than done when you think of all the things around that can insight fear and despair. Being anxious-natured can make your problems feel colossal and cause us to lose sight of the one thing that can pull us through – our Father in Heaven. The truth is, we have hope through the promises of God that we can find directly in Scripture. Here are five Bible verses about the storms of life.
Second Corinthians 12:9
"But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
God will give you strength when you’re dealing with the storms of life. When it comes to dealing with life’s circumstances, know that there are certain things outside your control, so don’t focus on changing every little thing. Instead, identify, celebrate and embrace what you can learn from the situation. Instead of dwelling on the “what ifs” and the negatives of a given situation, focus on the power you have within yourself to define your own happiness; living one day at a time and enjoying one moment at a time. When you let go of the little things, you can see life in an entirely new way.
Psalm 91:1-2
“Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty, can say to Him, ‘You are my defender and protector. You are my God; In You I trust.'”
God isn’t always trying to teach us something new in our trials and hardships. Sometimes, God wants to unlearn certain habits, patterns and behaviors that hold us back from being our happiest. He also wants us to trust in Him as our protector and a guide for growth. When you can accept hardships as pathways to peace, not looking at circumstances as forms of defeat but as opportunities for growth and strength, our lives can then be transformed.
Psalm 57:12
“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, till the storms of destruction pass by.”
God has taught and continues to teach many things through life’s storms. He is teaching us how to live out of His strength by walking after His Spirit. Through faith, you will find your identity in Christ, which will calm the pounding waves that make you feel fearful, desperate or worthless. Jesus accepts us for who we are in Him rather than how we perform. This truth will calm your soul in the midst of life's storms.
Matthew 8:26-27
“And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
When you surrender your life to God especially when you’re dealing with life’s storms, you are following His lead without knowing where He’s sending you. You’re waiting on God’s timing without knowing when it will come. You’re expecting a miracle without knowing what God will provide. You’re also trusting God’s purpose without understanding the circumstances. You know you’re surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda and control a situation. This is when you’re truly letting go and letting God handle everything. You don’t have to always be in charge. Instead of trying harder, you trust more.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
We are called to this Earth for a specific purpose, with a specific purpose, even when we don’t always know what that purpose is. What we should always focus on is the fact that we are safe with God and that He is in control. Learn to accept that you can’t control or change certain life circumstances, so we need to relinquish control. The only thing you can change in life is you. Have the courage to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses. Take an honest look at yourself and acknowledge that you’re not perfect and work on what you can. This is the first step on the journey of change within.
None of the storms you will go through in life will be enjoyable. They can cause much pain. Yet, even in our regrets, God comforts us with His faithfulness. Whatever battle you are in, you stand victorious when you trust in God. One great way to combat the storms of life is to pray. The great thing about prayer is that it can help us channel a hope that we didn’t even know we could access. Allow the power of prayer to work on your life and watch incredible things happen.
