Storms of Life

Mike and I are spending some time on the ocean front this week and it has been so relaxing and fun. Yesterday late afternoon Mike and I were enjoying sitting in the sand watching the ocean. It had become overcast but that does not stop me. The temperature dropped and there was a cool breeze. People were going inside but I commented on how there were no clouds above us. But it was black to our left and appeared to be moving out to sea. All of a sudden the wind shifted and there was black all around us and over us. It was time to pack up.

We went inside the hotel and sat watching the raging ocean. I love watching a torrential downpour with thunder and lightening. It reminds me of growing up. When i travel with my cousin we always laugh if it storms and say, "we better go get in the bed". That is what my granny did. She took all the kids and everyone got in the bed. Even during hurricanes I would sit on the porch if it was blowing the opposite way. Storms amaze me!

I think the cloud formations are so interesting. Sometimes looking so light and fluffy like cotton candy and other times so heavy and dark. I am amazed by the temperature dropping so fast and how the wind picks up all of a sudden. Then you feel one big rain drop then another. All individual raindrops. And then it just pours. The trees look like they are dancing as they sway and bend in the wind.

Then after the rain I love to see how beautiful the flowers look. Those that were droopy are now standing tall showing off their beauty. Everything looks greener and refreshed.

Being at the beach makes the storm even more exciting. I love to watch the ocean. It can go from calm to big waves, strong currents, white caps and waves for as far out as you can see. Yesterday it looked like someone had a blender on low in the ocean. But as quick as it started it calmed. Psalm 107: 29 "He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed." Even in the storms I see what an artist God is! His paintings are brilliant!

Last week Mike and I got caught in a storm while trying to get to the marina. We were in our boat and the rain stung as it hit us. It was dark so the lightening lit up the whole sky. The thunder shook the earth. We knew how little we were in this storm. I was raised to respect the water and boating. I have only been caught in a few storms but it is scary. I prayed all the way to the marina and thanked Him when we both got in the car.

The Bible shows Jesus calming storms in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Matthew 8: 26-27 "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!'"

Mark 4: 37-41, "A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Luke 8: 23-26 "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.”

Isn't this how life is? Things are sunny and beautiful. We are just enjoying life and having fun. All of a sudden a storm arises. We have to run for shelter. We are scared. It is then that we call on God. That is why we have to thank God for the hard times (storms) in our lives because that is when we grow.

He has told us to expect tribulation (storms) He has also told us He will be with us. He will never leave us or forsake us. With one word, "silence", He was able to still the storm. The wind was gone and the water calmed. He can calm our storms as well. He rescued His people from actual storms and brought them to safety. He can do the same for us. Psalm 107: 23-30, "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven."

A thunder storm reminds me of the storms of life. I thank God for those storms. Although they are scary, we doubt the outcome, we get drenched, etc. the sun always comes out. And we are better for it. It reminds us we need God. It helps us appreciate the sunny days!

Have you thanked God for the storms in your life?

This was the picture of the storm yesterday afternoon.