The Calm After the Storm by Mayada Naami

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work, he stops all people from their labor (Job 37:5-7, NIV).

Millions of lives have been touched in one way or another by powerful storms. From hurricanes to record–breaking rainfalls and snowstorms, these unsettling and unpredictable events can bring fear and anxiety. Yet, In Job 37, the Bible says God does great things beyond our understanding so that everyone he created may know His work. During the storm, we see the wonders of His work and He temporarily stops us from our laboring to reflect on the His powerful ways. This can be applied to spiritual storms as well as physical storms. In the middle of a spiritual battle, we can be still and seek shelter in Him. We can let His Word remind us that even when the storms come, we can seek shelter and comfort in His promises.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm (Mark 4:39, NIV).

Dread of the unknown can sometimes create a spirit of fear, especially when you are battling a storm. Faith is necessary to overcome anxiety. In the Bible, when Jesus calms the storm in Mark 4:40, He said to His disciples “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”  Troubles, trials, and tribulations in life are like storms. Every time a storm comes your way, God wants to see you stand strong in your faith and trust His ways.

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed (Psalm 107:29, NIV).

He allows the storms in your life because that is how your faith grows. Miracles happen when you stand tall in the middle of a storm, knowing you have Jesus with you. Even though they had Jesus with them on the boat, the disciples were so fixated on the storm, they were afraid. How many of us know that feeling of terror when we are faced with a storm? How many of us forget that Jesus is with us through the storm?

There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain (Isaiah 4:6, NIV).