Throughout the summer we receive them often; so often in fact, I pay little attention to the emergency broadcast system alerts. Living in open farm country, tornados pose a frequent threat in unstable summer storm patterns. Though at times indifferent, we secure fragile outside items and plants, grateful for the warning. At times, when life offers no warning for impending trials, staying anchored in the storms of life feels an impossible task.
Though never experiencing a tornado, many years ago, the worst tropical storm to hit our area rolled through one September, leaving us with no electricity or water for five days. Many downed trees, utility poles and debris blocked roads for weeks, making travel relatively impossible.
Though many storm warnings and survival instructions clogged the air waves, I still remember boarding up attic windows with my son in disbelief.
Few people had adequate food supplies, certainly no containered water, and generators were not something people had at the ready. We lost most of our food in refrigerator and freezer.
Even these many years later, those who experienced the storm in this area still comment on their disbelief. Erroneously rooted in thoughts of security, folks ignored the warnings since no such storm had previously occured.
Often, the storms of life blindside us in a similar way; ill prepared for the destructive results of unexpected trials, we become storm-tossed and battered.
storms of life
In the same way meterological storms vary in type from a quick downpour or soaking thunderstorm to a damaging hailstorm or hurricane, so the storms of life vary. We encounter everything from schedule disruptions, car trouble, and quarreling children, to chronic health issues, divorce, and even death.
Sadly, we seldom feel prepared for the smallest downpours, much less the sweeping destruction of more intense storms. At times it seems the steady, long soaking rains of trials threaten to drown us as we struggle to secure our footing.
So, how do we remain anchored in the storms of life?
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,
Hebrews 6:19
our anchor holds
In chapter six of Hebrews, the writer gently leads us to our secure hope provided by God the Father: Jesus Christ, the anchor of our soul. Our salvation comes from this hope (Romans 8:24-25), and through our sustained hope in Christ, we have a strong anchor able to weather every storm of life we encounter.
Many Christians view storms as discipline, or the result of stepping outside God’s will for their lives. While storms certainly result from sinful choices and actions, many storms for the Christian happen right in the center of God’s will.
In Mark 6, the disciples experienced a storm so severe, it drove even those seasoned fisherman, who saw many storms, to Jesus in fear. Yet, they were in complete obedience to Christ’s instruction and travelling with Him!
live anchored
Though unreliable, due to the unpredictability and swiftness of developing tornados, storm warning systems enhance preparedness and preserve life. In the Christian life, often our only storm warning is (John 16:33).
Jesus promised us trouble in this life, (John 16:33), but He also reminded us, in Him we would have peace, for He overcame the world.
The best way of remaining anchored in the storms of life is living anchored. Living anchored ensures your focus on God’s promises, not the problems.
Join me today as I visit with Melanie Redd over at Women Living Courageously podcast for practical advice for not only preparing for the storms of life, but finding peace as we hold tight to the Anchor of souls, Jesus Christ.
Donna, I live in an area that can have hurricanes and summer storms. Storms are no respecter of persons. We need to build our lives on the rock.
Debbie, so truly spoken. Both meteorological storms and those we encounter in life’s trials are no respector of persons. Only in Christ can we find true refuge.
Thank you Donna for this thorough blog. Here in the Netherlands there are no tornadoes but sometimes we have whirlwinds and often strong storms. So I kind of understand what you’re writing. I mean: the spiritual lesson in it.
Without Jesus, we have no safe haven. But with Him, we have everything. Even if the ground disappears beneath our feet.
Aritha, I’m glad you do not have to experience the severity of hurricanes and tornados! But we all experience storms in life that feel very much like the devastation of those storms. Praise God that Jesus is the anchor that keeps us safe. You are so right, with Jesus we have everything!
I’m so grateful for Jesus as my anchor in all the crazy storms of life that hit us. We just passed the 11th anniversary of the deadly tornadoes that came through Alabama. It did damage and took lives in neighborhoods around us and like you, we were without electricity for about a week. It’s a time I’ll never forget. We were so grateful for how God’s people showed up to help those in need.
Lisa, thank you for sharing that memory of the tornados there in Alabama. Such storms are so frightening, I cannot imagine going through one. Thank you for also pointing out how God uses community to help us mitigate storm damage. He doesn’t always calm the storm, but He does keep us through it.
Donna, that photo of the boat caught up in the waves is stunning. I kind of feel that way sometimes. And then I breathe deep and hear His whisper … ‘peace be still.’
Linda, I love that picture too. I also feel that way many times, and need those gentle reminders to hold onto Christ!
I listened to your podcast the other night. Boy did I ever need to hear that! God’s perfect timing led you and Melanie to do your interview then and It was his perfect timing for me to hear it. I’m sure it was his perfect timing for others too.
Thank you, Paula, for taking the time to listen to my podcast interview! I recorded that back in April and have prayed God would use His timing to bring it to those who need to hear it at just the right time!!
Donna, this is so true – “The best way of remaining anchored in the storms of life is living anchored.” We need to remain anchored to God’s Word. We hold fast to Jesus – the logos, The Word – and He holds fast to us.
Joanne, remembering we are always in the presence of God helps me also remember I can have peace even in the midst of life’s storms.
Hi Donna, I have definitely been contemplating the storms we are all currently in, and finding I am struggling with not being pulled into all the thunder and lightening that comes with the storm. Thank you for this post, the scriptures are so on point and the the thing that got me the most is that we remain anchored when we reflect on and hold onto God’s promises and not the problems. Great post
God bless
Tracy
Tracy, thank you for taking the time to read my post! Navigating the storms of life is never easy, but I am learning to stay anchored in Christ and remembering in His presence I have complete peace.
This is so true, and sometimes it does seem difficult to stay anchored in the everyday mess for sure. I’ve found that as I mature in Christ that it has become easier to stay anchored in Him now.
Visiting today from Let’s Have Coffee #20
Paula, I believe over time we grow in our ability to stay anchored in the storms. Though God is so faithful we can call to him at any time for help!
This is so true, Donna, “Many storms for the Christian happen right in the center of God’s will.” And “The best way of remaining anchored in the storms of life is living anchored. Living anchored ensures your focus on God’s promises, not the problems.” I believe surrendering to Him leads to a deep abiding trust which brings a peace that passes all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In that place of abiding love, joy and peace – the enemy can’t touch us.
Thank you, Lisa, developing that deep trust over time prepares us for any storm life may bring our way, and so true protects us from the enemy!