The Calm Before the Storm

It is Tuesday night (9/27/22) and Florida is bracing for a little storm. Perhaps you have heard of it. They have named it “Hurricane Ian”.

It is expected to be a historic hurricane, causing wide spread catastrophic damage over the next several days. No one knows exactly where it will hit and we still have to wait another 24 hours or so before we find out. I feel like I have a better understanding now of the concept the “calm before the storm”. You know it is coming, but there is nothing you can do but sit and wait. I am finding difficulty getting my mind around something that is expected yet unpredictable at the same time. It doesn’t seem logical or natural. We know some lives will be significantly changed over the next week, while others may be completely unaffected. Which will we be? How do you get your mind around the complete lack of control?

We have a beach house on Don Pedro Island, which according to some of the hurricane trackers, is slated for a direct hit. We could be looking at a total loss type of situation, not only our place, but for the entire island. We are mentally preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. We just don’t know.

I am reminded of a story in Matthew 8 about Jesus and a boat. The disciples panic as a storm develops and the waves began to come over the boat. They wake up Jesus and ask him to save them. They have anticipated the worst. They are desperate for Jesus to save them before the situation gets any worse. Jesus questioned their fear as well as their faith. However, he obliged the disciples and “rebuked the winds and the waves”. Jesus calmed the storm with ease. The disciples witnessed this and said, “Even the winds and the waves obey him”. We may not know what the next few days hold, but take comfort that God is more powerful than the storm. I pray that we all let his peace be our peace.

What does it say to you that Jesus was asleep during the storm?

How does it make you feel that Jesus “rebuked the winds and the waves” when facing the unknown of the storm ahead?

Is it easier or more difficult for you to come to a place of peace when you are facing an uncontrollable event?

Can you find peace knowing that our God is Omnipotent?

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”26 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. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8: 23-27