Storms

1st March 2009

It is a myth to think that life will be smooth sailing just because we are Christians.

As surely as there is life, there will be storms – frightening, unpredictable and totally unfathomable.

Marriage break down, a loved one suddenly dies or an unexpected diagnosis of crippling disease. Collapse of financial market, loss of job, political upheaval and unnecessary bloodshed – life deals a hard blow and our once orderly world is plunged into chaos, confusion and despair.

As surely as there is life, there will be storms – it discriminates against no one – Christians or non-Christians alike.

Storms are neutral.

When hardships and difficulties of life hit us, we suddenly find ourselves alone – and perhaps lonely. Those whom we trust may turn out to be just fair-weathered friends; those who offer comfort are impatient at us to ‘snap out of it’ and our heads punish our hearts by reprimanding us to quickly ‘move on’ – and yet we cannot, for all that we want – we just cannot. Then it dawns upon us how fragile, needy and un-understandable we are.

Storms are cruel.

When we are in despair and when everything seems lost, we realize our need for a Higher Power to calm and still the storms of life. It exposes the foundation of our lives and helps us to take stock and change course at times. It urges us to grow deep in our essentials and basics of living.

Storms bring fresh perspective to life.

George Herbert (1593-1633) said, “Storms make oaks take deeper root.”

Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” and “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

In the storms of life, the promises of Jesus are brought to life as we hold out our hands to Him and let Him walk through the trials and sufferings with us.

Storms are kind and have their purpose after all.

Question: Who do you have to weather through the storms of life?