God Controls the Storms of Life
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“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10a NIV
I can still hear the resolve in her voice. “Sit down and get quiet. God’s doing His work!”
Any time the slightest hint of thunder rumbled through the air, my grandmother gathered all of us children in her care, and insisted we settle ourselves down. For the kids, our books, papers, and pens came out, while Grandma took the opportunity to clothe her lap with the open Word of God. A hush filled her small living room, and more often than not, I would find myself curled up on a pillow, awakening after the storm had passed.
Recently, torrential rain, rolling thunder, sharp lightning, and darkness overtook my home. Perched in my rocking chair, I peered out the patio doors to take in the majesty. My grandmother’s declaration from years ago came back to me––about how God does His work in the storms. Perhaps Grandma’s wisdom is a guide for all the storms in life.
Now in mid-life, with my childhood behind, I look back on the many storms that I’ve weathered in the decades behind me. Some of those storms were actually atmospheric; I’ve lived through category 3 hurricanes that brought damage to my home and surroundings. But others were storms of relational struggles, of heartbreak or loss, of years of chronic illness and confinement, of financial strain and beyond. These were countless storms of uncertainty that brought fear, anxiety, worry, and distress.
In all of these times, my first response was to reach for control. I tried to fix the problem, outsmart the situation, and work things out myself. But anyone who has experienced a hurricane knows that shouting at the wind and reaching out a hand to stop flood waters is futile.
True survival is only found in the Presence of Almighty God.
This point is driven home by the Psalmist in Psalm 46. He begins by exclaiming, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (verse 1). Every time I read those words, I imagine running to Jesus, hiding in the shelter of His arms, and feeling His boundless strength lifting me in the most tumultuous times.
The psalm continues with God’s call to, “Be still, and know that I am God” (verse 10a). For a long time, I thought these words commanded me to do nothing. But according to the Hebrew translation, “be still” actually means “to let go.” It’s telling me to cease striving, scheming, and manipulating, because these actions only increase restlessness and diminish peace.
And so, when the next storm blows into my life, I’m going to do what my grandmother modeled for me––settle down, get quiet in the Presence of the Lord, and trust Him to keep me safe until the storm passes by. I have determined to answer God’s command to let Him be God. I will take my hands off of what I can’t control and seek to rest in Him, recognizing His great power, love, and strength during the hardest circumstances.
Are you caught in the middle of a storm? Maybe your situation looks dark and threatening right now, and you don’t know how you will make it through. Let me offer a word of comfort: God is in control––He always has been and He always will be. It’s okay to take your hands off the situation and allow Him to work it out. We can be sure that God will part the skies, the sun will shine again, and He will bring glory to His Holy name.
This article was published with Calla Press. Click here to read it on the Calla Press website.
