Storms of life help refocus our attention on God

When I was in chaplaincy training, my supervisor would never answer “why” questions. He said that answering them was speculation, so he would only answer questions dealing with the facts of the situation. That was a bit frustrating for me, but I understood his reasoning. For instance, who can really understand the reasons why God either does things or allows some things to happen?

When I was recently waiting to start one of my classes at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, I discovered an article by Chaplain James K. Martin about this subject. He is the chaplain at the MiamiDade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department in Miami, Fla. He writes about the many “storms” that threaten us all the time. He says, “These storms in our lives are not designed to destroy us, but to refocus our attention on a sovereign God who is always in control of our circumstances.” Some storms may be health issues, financial issues or family issues.

Chaplain Martin lists seven keys to overcome life’s unpredictable storms, and they are good enough for me to share with you.

• Recognize that all things are possible for those who trust in God in their storms. “Jesus said to him … all things are possible to him that believes” (Mark 9:23).

• Recognize that God is with you during your storms. “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

• Recognize that your storms are only temporary, but your faith is everlasting. “Be strong and courageous … for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

• Recognize that God is always working on your behalf in your storm. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

• Recognize that God’s mercy will sustain you in your darkest hour of your storm. “The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works” (Psalms 145:9).

• Recognize that God’s love is secure in your storms. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life … nor any created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

• Recognize that God is sovereign over all our life storms. “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all” (1 Chronicles 29:11).

He further says, “Storms do happen, but how I respond to them defines the quality of my life. I can fill my life with sadness, immobilized by the storms, or I can choose to rise from them and accept them as my most precious gift.”

Douglas Miller has written (in “My Soul Has Been Anchored”), “Though the storms keep on raging in my life, and sometimes it’s hard to tell my night from day, still that hope that lies within is reassured as I keep my eyes upon the distant shore. I know He’ll lead me safely to that Blessed place He has prepared. But if the storms don’t cease, and if the wind keeps on blowing, (in my life), my soul has been anchored in the Lord.”

I know a lot of good people who are facing storms in their lives, and they do not know how to adequately deal with them. Perhaps these words will at least touch them with the presence of God and help give them peace. That is my prayer.