Weather At Its Worst

This week brought some of the most devastating weather in recent memory. Beginning on Sunday night, several destructive tornadoes ripped across the mid-west touching down in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa and Missouri. At least 17 deaths were reported and perhaps more. Then on Monday, a second round blew through areas of Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. Another 16 plus deaths were also reported. In addition, the severe weather impacted some southern states with widespread flooding.

There truly is little or nothing that can be done to protect personal property when storms of this magnitude occur. The feeling of utter helplessness must be beyond explanation. Those who do not live in areas that are prone to this kind of sudden and total destruction simply cannot fathom what it must be like to live under such an ever-present threat.

The Bible speaks to this issue when it says that, “Man is born to trouble” (Job 5:7) And Scripture speaks how the entire creation literally "groans" because of the fall in the garden so long ago. (Romans 8:22) That groaning was seen in a vivid fashion this past week by some that lost all they had – and even family and friends.

But the word of God does offer advice whether we live in Tornado Alley or in a seemingly very "safe" place. It comes through the words of wisdom in Proverbs 27:1. “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Those are wise words because they often ring true and because their source is an all-knowing God.

The other aspect of facing the uncertainties of life in a fragile world is to possess the proper spiritual perspective. This is referred to in Matthew 6:33-34. We read there, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

This one short passage deals with how to prevent worry and fear from crippling us even before any trials do strike. When God’s ways are life's driving force, we are given an amazing promise found in Philippians 4:6-7. The Apostle Paul writes, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Seeking God regularly and making prayer preeminent is how we best prepare for the storms of life – whether they come from 200-mph winds, a pink slip at the office or the results of that serious and dreaded  medical test. God has promised to guard our thoughts and provide peace when we seek Him first and foremost. Of course many Christians can, and often do, desperately seek the Lord only after some unexpected crisis has begun. And He is always faithful and fully safe to trust. But it is far better to be in close communication with Him long before any furious winds of life begin to howl.

But can the Lord really deal with any tempest in your life today? Is He really able no matter what the storm may be right now? If that is a question in your heart and mind, then perhaps again consider His divine power and supernatural ability from the account described in Matthew 8:24-27.

“And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We are perishing!' But He said to them, 'Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?' Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, 'Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?'"

If the literal wind and sea of nature obey Him, then what in our lives is beyond Him when we do the same?

Bill Breckenridge