Date: 1.12.2024
Someone showed me a post from Facebook yesterday that featured a Wal-Mart store with lines snaking all through their aisles. These lines were comprised of hurried shoppers with their arms full of milk, bread, and toilet. I don’t know what it is about those three items and winter storms, but it’s like milk, bread, and toilet paper are the “holy trinity” of disaster prep!! I don’t know about you, but I have a perennial roster of 1/4 bags of bread and 1/8 jugs of milk in my kitchen AT ALL TIMES…and this is in addition to the fresh bags and jugs I just bought on my regularly scheduled shopping run. But when that storm is forecast, I gotta run out and buy more, just in case! If you go to the grocery store today…It seems that everyone in the area is gearing up for the storm of the year!
Storms have a funny way of sending us into panic mode, don’t they? Our minds either fill with anxiety and dread or will venture into a negative space as we think of all the possible disruptions and frustrations the storm might bring. This negative space has a way of affecting us long before the storm even hits. I don’t know about you, but after the storm has passed, I’ve often realized my reaction to the impending storm was worse than the actual storm itself. I needlessly rushed out in preparation for “hunkering down.” But, in reality, no prepping nor hunkering was needed during the storm. I needlessly gave that storm far more time, attention, and energy than it needed or deserved.
I’m obviously speaking metaphorically! Storms come in all shapes and sizes. They can be relational, professional, emotional, mental, or spiritual. These storms affect all of us in different ways, and no two storms are alike. The only constant is that we all will face storms. God’s word tells us this. Jesus promises that the rain falls on the just and unjust alike. Regardless of what the weather forecast says for today, you might find yourself in the middle of a storm. The question we must ask ourselves is, “How much will I allow this storm to affect me?” Every storm we face will have some kind of effect on us whether we like it or not; otherwise, it wouldn’t be a storm. But not every storm needs to be a “life wrecker.” You and I have been given the power to weather the storm with faith, strength, and grace.
Think back to the disciples caught in the middle of a storm. They are gripped with fear. When they see Jesus walking toward them on the water, the obvious response should be joy and relief. Who else did they know who had the power to walk on water? However, they are so filled with fear they see just and think He is a ghost. This storm is affecting their senses and reason. But Jesus assures them of who He is and enters the boat. When the disciples realize who Jesus is and accept Him onto the boat, the storm ceases.
This is a powerful reminder to us today. Storms are difficult. Storms can be unsettling. However, we don’t have to give them full authority over our minds and our hearts. When we stop and remember who Jesus is and when we receive Him in our situation, He brings peace.
I pray Jesus would bring peace to whatever storm you might be facing.
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