We’d been there before, huddled in the basement of my in-law’s country home, as an approaching storm grew louder. But this time felt different. The awareness that a tornado had passed through town just hours before caused all of us to walk the familiar path with an urgency higher than normal.
“Is it coming, Mommy?”
I didn’t know what to say. Looking up from my phone, I hesitated longer than I intended. “I don’t know, bud. I hope not.” The fear on his face echoed the fear in my heart. I looked back down at my phone. The radar didn’t look good.
Having grown up in the Midwest, thunderstorms were a part of life. The words Tornado Watch a common occurrence in the upper right corner of the TV. But as far as I could remember, one had never been this close or this real.
Make it go away, Jesus. Please, just make it go away. Numb with fear I could think of nothing else to pray.
Until my husband bounced down the stairs. “You’ve got to come outside. The sky is amazing.”
Outside? Really? Curious, I went.
And oh my, it was breathtaking. The swirl of dark ambitious clouds circling just to the north. I’d never seen anything like it. I couldn’t look away. Nor could I stop the praises: Oh, LORD God Almighty, you are awesome in power. The work of your hands – amazing. There’s no one like you, Jesus. No one.
My heart sang with thanksgiving to a God so much greater than myself. A God who had always been and who will always be completely in control of life’s storms. A God I can run to. A God who promised to never leave me; never forsake me.
And I realized at that moment, seeing the storm had done more for my faith than avoiding it completely ever would have. The swirling clouds overhead were a front row seat to the sovereignty of God. I saw firsthand the power of my Savior. I felt the peace of His hand upon me. I experienced the comfort of His closeness and the assurance of being His child.
The uncertainty around me produced a renewed certainty within me; I praised Him on the other side. And I knew, that’s why He had allowed the storm. That’s why He allows any of it.
The everyday hardships of life are an opportunity to know Christ in ways the peaceful path doesn’t allow.
I’m sure David would have gladly avoided his tenure hiding from Saul in the caves. But it’s there he experienced the Savior.
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. (Psalm 57:1)
Just like I’m sure the disciples would have gladly avoided the windstorm barreling down on the Sea of Galilee. Yet it was there, amid the storm, they got to experience Jesus calm it. Gaining the surefire understanding “that even the wind and the sea obey him” (Mark 4:41).
Later, after the tornado, I found out another storm had intercepted the supercell headed straight for us, diminishing the danger we were in and redirecting it north. But even if it hadn’t, I learned something that day:
No matter the storm, no matter the outcome, my Savior will walk me through.
And when He does, I’ll praise Him for it. Because I know, on the other side, the promise of God’s presence will be more tangible to me than the day before.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Stacey,
“The everyday hardships of life are an opportunity to know Christ in ways the peaceful path doesn’t allow.”…I love this and how true. In the past several weeks, I have faced yet another storm – one the size of your potential tornado you witnessed. But, God…He has been so faithful to walk me THROUGH the valleys. He hasn’t left me stuck there. I can look back at the past that He’s brought me through and it gives me confidence and hope that He will be there whatever the future holds. The storms have built in me a reliance and dependence upon the Lord that is solid. In God’s economy, crisis tends to bond a relationship not sever it. I guess you could say God and I are “tight”. It would not be this way if my path had always been peaceful. So because of this, I will thank Him even in, and especially for, the storms. Such a truth-filled post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Stacey Salsbery says
Thank you Bev. I praise God for the way God has held you through the storm. – Stacey
Michele Morin says
These words are such a gift, and they remind me to continue to pray for all those (Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida) for whom the storm has landed hard. I’m thankful that God walks with us through the storm — and the storm warnings.
Stacey Salsbery says
Amen Michele. Thank you. – Stacey
Kelli Ritter says
Beautiful, simply beautiful. Your words created an amazing image of our God. Thank you.
Stacey Salsbery says
Thank you Kelli. To Him be the glory. – Stacey
Phae says
Thank you.
Stacey Salsbery says
My pleasure Phae. – Stacey
Tina says
Praising God for giving you the gift of insight and Godly commentary, so that we too get to be blessed by what God is doing in you’re life.
Thank you for being transparent and driven to lay you’re heart out there for all to see.
Kinda scary at times I’m sure, but we weren’t called to be scared.
We are called to be bold. Joshua 1:9
Stacey Salsbery says
Amen Tina. Thank you for your kind words. – Stacey
Darlene says
Thank you for your beautiful post this morning! A great reminder that what ever storms we walk through He will be there with us all the way! Just a great reminder of Gods faithfulness. Blessings!
Darlene
Stacey Salsbery says
I’m so thankful for God’s faithfulness. Thank you Darlene. – Stacey
Kristin Davila says
I love this ❤️ God is just awesome!
Stacey Salsbery says
Thank you Kristin. God bless. – Stacey
Maggie says
Thank you Stacey!
So beautiful! The image of that sky just made me tear up, lift my arms, and praise HIM for all HE is.
What a blessing !!!!
Deanna says
Wow!! This devotional was indeed what I needed today as a reminder. To not fear the storms in this life’s journey To stand, watch and see the Lord’s majesty and awesome power that no matter what He will gets us through with an outcome of our faith soaring to a higher level.
Stacey Salsbery says
I’m so glad you were encouraged Deanna. Blessings to you. – Stacey
Charity says
Such powerful words used to invoke an image of something we all have experienced whether it’s an actual storm or the looming clouds of spiritual storms in our life! God is powerful and mighty to allow us to see the storm and intercept it if he chooses to. Thanks friend for the encouragement today! Love ya!
K Ann Guinn says
It is so true that we can (and must) know God better in times of difficulty. It is an inevitable part of life, so the sooner we embrace this truth, the better. It’s not easy, but I’m thankful for a God who not only loves us and sees us through the hard times, promising to stay with us, but uses them for our good if we will let him. Our struggles and hardships can serve to equip us to better understand and support others, as well.
I love it when God stills a storm! But he is equally to be praised when he allows us to go through hardships for his glory.
Thanks for sharing this reminder today.
Julie says
It is in the storms, the uncertainty of the next day, even the next moment, that we find Jesus involved in that storm. What He allows, He directs. Beautiful analogy of the impending storm and seeing His power and might wrapped up in all of it.
Stacey Salsbery says
Thank you Julie. To Him be the glory.
Andrea says
“And I realized at that moment, seeing the storm had done more for my faith than avoiding it completely ever would have…”
And oh how I love to pray for safety and ease, but how absolutely true these words have fleshed out in the last 18 months. I know Him and trust Him in ways I would not, had I not seen and experienced the storm.
Stacey Salsbery says
Amen Andrea! Blessings to you. – Stacey
Amanda says
Thank you for sharing! This is definitely a resemblance of me when I had PPD with my first. We’re are now considering another so this devotion hit home! Thank you! He’s never left us or forsaken us!
Stacey Salsbery says
So glad you were encouraged Amanda. I’ll be praying for you. Thanks for sharing. – Stacey
Amanda Jobe says
This is just beautiful, Stacey. I love your closing and description of the purpose of life’s storms. Thank you for sharing it.
Stacey Salsbery says
Thanks Amanda! – Stacey
Erin Whitmer says
Stacey,
“And I realized at that moment, seeing the storm had done more for my faith than avoiding it completely ever would have.” I just love this. I have found this to be true in my life. All the storms – and they’re raged so hard I thought life might be over – have saved me from a life of ingratitude and lack of purpose. My faith has strengthened in the storms, and that survival in the storm is something I try to use to encourage the women in my life.
Thank you again for sharing.
Erin
Stacey Salsbery says
And I love this Erin! Great perspective. Blessings to you. – Stacey
Penny says
Stacey,
Your post was amazingly pronounced with your outpouring Faith in Him. Thank-you so much for sharing how He helped you weathered your storm. After I’ve overcome a storm, it’s also left me humbled beyond gratitude knowing it was He who carried me through.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Stacey Salsbery says
Amen Penny! Thank you. I completely agree. – Stacey
Nancy Ruegg says
You’ve learned an advanced lesson at an early age: “The everyday hardships of life are an opportunity to know Christ in ways the peaceful path doesn’t allow.” Amen, Stacey! And with you I want to affirm: “No matter the storm, no matter the outcome, my Savior will walk me through. And when He does, I’ll praise Him for it. Because I know, on the other side, the promise of God’s presence will be more tangible to me than the day before.” Wonderful truths to hold close to the heart. Thank you, Stacey.
Stacey Salsbery says
Thank you Nancy! Blessings to you.
Ruth says
Amen. We NEED storms in our life as it keeps us focused on our Almighty Heavenly Father. Thank you for a great post which was pointed to God.
Mia says
Yes & Amen ❤️ Thank you!
Beth Williams says
Stacy,
God said “in this life you will have trials, but take heart I have overcome the world.” Praise God. The reason for trials & storms I believe is to bring us closer to Him. It is in the storms that we cling to Him more tightly. On the peaceful path we don’t often think about Christ that much. I had several trials with my aging dad & his health. It was during those trials that I clung to Jesus more. I believe I grew as a Christian. I got to witness to others by doing for my dad. They got to see the love of God in action. Trials strengthen us in so many ways.
Blessings 🙂
Stacey Salsbery says
Yes Beth! I so agree! Thanks for sharing this. I pray God’s blessing on you as you continue to show His love to others. – Stacey
Rebecca L Jones says
I have been protected from at least three and something I probably don’t know about.
Beth says
Stacey, I know for sure that every time someone reads this there is a whole choir of hearts joining yours in songs of praise to our God. What a beautiful witness! And one I’ll be keeping. Thank you! <3
Stacey Salsbery says
Thank you so much Beth. I love that thought!
Melissa says
Love this, Stacey! And, I love that you wrote it far in advance of the devastation that has happened this month in the world. So true! If it weren’t for the hardships, I certainly would know my Savior in the way I do now. God is so good! Thanks for allowing Him to prompt your heart and being obedient to share with all of us!