I may be biased, but Florida is an awesome place to live. We have sunny skies, beautiful beaches, and Disney World. We have space shuttles launching off our coast, a year-round summer, key lime pie, and awesome seafood (you have GOT to try the conch fritters!).
However, one of the things that is an unwelcomed staple of living in this paradise is…hurricanes. Every summer, we prepare for the annual hurricane season. Our family makes sure to stock up on bottled water, batteries, canned goods, and Poptarts. (pro tip: comfort food makes the impending doom better). We prep as best we can then continue life as normal while keeping one eye on the tropics.
A few years back, we were facing one of the meanest ones to date. This hurricane was slated at a Category 5 ( for those that don’t know, that’s the strongest) and projected to blow straight over our entire state. We had a week to plan.
“Do we stay?”
“Do we go?”
“Do we have enough supplies if we stay?”
“Do you want to board up today or tomorrow?”
As difficult as it is to make these big decisions, the silver lining is this; we have notice. We know it’s coming. We can see the predicted amount of potential damage, weigh the risks, assess our options, and make a decision.
However, life’s storms don’t always give us a hint when they are about to unleash havoc in our lives. We don’t have an emergency kit or recommended guideline of how to pack and prepare for them.
In some cases, it’d be good to know when a storm is coming. When to look at our calendar and know exactly when and where a calamity will strike, throwing sand in our well-oiled gears. To know exactly how much damage it could cause, and how to best brace ourselves. If so, we could prepare our heart, duck out of the way, or even skip out of town until it blows over.
However, the reality is, storms in life don’t always guarantee us advanced notice. We can’t always see the dark clouds of trouble and heartache barreling towards us.
Maybe you’ve been caught in an uncharted storm too?
Like when the doctor gives us or someone we love devastating news and it’s a gut punch.
Or when our spouse shares a heartbreaking statement that shocks us to the core.
Or when our child comes home and shares news that will change all our lives forever.
Or when we get fired from that job we thought we would have until Kingdom come.
Those unplanned storms can be dark, scary, and devastating.
The friends who walked beside Jesus in the flesh can relate. After a long day of teaching to the crowds and ministering to others, they loaded into a boat for a seemingly simple trip. Their teacher, Savior, and God, had directed them to sail to the opposite side and they were completely confident in Him and His directive. After all, Jesus had confirmed himself time and time again. They trusted Him.
Yet as the boat ventured across, fierce gusts pushed and pulled the boat and waves rose high. The boat filled with so much sea and rainwater, it became flooded. Fear now swirling in their eyes and mind at this unexpected calamity.
“But Jesus said we would make it to the other side? How could this be happening?” When they glanced around in what I think would be a sheer panic, they found their Savior, asleep.
Friends, let me be clear, I have often wondered if Jesus was asleep while my crazy circumstances and storms appeared to overtake me. I have felt the water rise around me, unsure if I would make it out alive. I’ve wondered where Jesus is in these moments because it felt like the loud waves of my trouble didn’t affect Him. And truth be told, they don’t.
Jesus doesn’t fear our loud storms because he is confident in His plan and His goodness. He’s omnipotent and omnipresent. He is all-powerful and He knows all because He’s there.
As we study Scripture in Mark chapter 4, we see it is true that the storm didn’t wake Jesus up. I would think the thunder booming and water splashing onto the deck made for quite a sound. But the loud ruckus and potential danger didn’t stir Him.
What caused Jesus to wake was a sound that was much more precious to Him. It was the voice of His children. His disciples shouting His name with a tremble in their voices, and panic in their expressions. He woke up because His children needed Him not because of a seemingly intimidating storm. Jesus KNEW they would arrive on the other side, He didn’t doubt that. Yet, He still chose to wake up and comfort the ones whom He loves and cares for.
Friend- let me tell you what that means. It means that when the storms of life rage against us, and our proverbial boat appears to be going down, Jesus is our constant companion and rescuer. He is with us. He hears us. When we feel like we are sinking alone, we find comfort in knowing that He hasn’t left us.
In hard times, we are not isolated from Him, we are insulated in Him. When we call Jesus in our raw fear, He comes to us with His comfort, healing, and protection.
Hurricanes give us a warning. Storms of life do not. We may not always be able to avoid them and we may not always be able to prepare, but we can always receive the offer of comfort from our Jesus. My prayer is that we remember He is with us before the storm, and He’s with us during the storm. May we always call on Him because He is faithful to hear us each and every time. We don’t need to fear the waves, for He is directing our sails.
About Sarah:
Sarah is a wife, mom, sister, and friend, living on the sunny east coast of Florida. She is the Editor in Chief at Mom Mentor and fiercely believes in the purpose and power of encouraging moms in their everyday lives. An evangelist at heart, she loves to blaze new creative paths to share the love and saving grace of Jesus.
She speaks, writes, and has recently released a collaborative book with the Mom Mentor team, What Other Moms Never Told Me. Her passion is to create spaces for women to find their voice, grow together, and be encouraged to go where God is calling them.
When she isn’t writing, speaking, and pouring into Mom Mentor, she serves her community by leading small groups, Bible studies, and co-leading her local Moms Club. (But you may find her at the beach with an iced coffee and her shades on too).
Connect with Sarah:
https://www.instagram.com/sarahbethy21/
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