Life is full of storms. Some come out of nowhere and shake us to our core. Others build slowly, and we see them coming but feel powerless to stop them. Whether they’re personal struggles, difficult seasons, or unexpected challenges, storms have a way of testing our faith.
The Bible is full of stories about storms, and what’s interesting is that not all of them happen for the same reason. Some storms come because we’ve made bad choices. Others come even when we’re doing everything right. Sometimes, storms happen so that we can learn something about God, about ourselves, or the people around us.
Let’s look at three different types of storms we find in Scripture and see what they can teach us about trusting God in our struggles.
1. The Storm That Corrects – Jonah’s Storm (Jonah 1:4-17)
We all know the story: Jonah was a prophet, and God told him to go to Nineveh to warn the people there to turn from their evil ways. But Jonah didn’t want to go. Instead, he got on a ship heading in the opposite direction. That’s when the storm hit. The waves were so bad that the sailors started panicking. Eventually, Jonah admitted that he was running from God, and he told them to throw him overboard. The moment they did, the sea calmed.
And then, of course, Jonah got swallowed by a giant fish.
What This Means for Us
Jonah’s storm was a storm of correction. It wasn’t random – it was God’s way of getting his attention and putting him back on the right path.
Have you ever been in a situation where everything seemed to be going wrong, and deep down, you knew you were headed in the wrong direction? Maybe you were making choices that went against what you knew was right. Jonah’s story reminds us that God sometimes allows storms to wake us up and bring us back to Him.
If you’re in a storm right now, ask yourself: Am I running from something God is asking me to do? If the answer is yes, maybe it’s time to stop running and start listening.
2. The Storm That Protects – The Disciples’ Storm (Mark 4:35-41)
This storm is a little different. Jesus and His disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee when, out of nowhere, a violent storm hit. The waves were crashing over the boat, and the disciples – many of whom were experienced fishermen – thought they were going to die. Meanwhile, Jesus was asleep. In their panic, they woke Him up, asking, “Don’t you care that we’re about to drown?” Jesus got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still.” Instantly, everything was calm. Then He turned to His disciples and asked, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
What This Means for Us
Unlike Jonah, the disciples weren’t in this storm because they had done something wrong. They were exactly where Jesus had told them to be. But the storm still came.
This was a storm of protection – not in the sense that it kept them from harm, but in the sense that it taught them to trust Jesus even when things got scary. Have you ever felt like you were doing everything right, following God, and still, life just threw you into chaos? Maybe it’s a health crisis, a financial struggle, or a season of uncertainty. The disciples’ story reminds us that just because Jesus seems silent doesn’t mean He’s absent. He’s still in the boat with us.
If you’re in a storm like this, ask yourself: Am I trusting that Jesus is with me, even when I don’t feel Him?
3. The Storm That Instructs – Paul’s Storm (Acts 27:13-44)
Paul’s storm happened when he was on a ship heading to Rome as a prisoner. A hurricane-like storm hit, and for days, the crew and passengers were convinced they were going to die. But in the middle of the chaos, Paul stood up and encouraged them, saying that God had told him that no one would be lost. Eventually, the ship crashed, but just as Paul had said, every single person (of the 276 onboard) survived.
What This Means for Us
Paul’s storm was an instructive storm – not meant to correct him or even test his faith, but to give him a platform to be a light to others.
Sometimes, the storms we go through aren’t just about us. They’re opportunities to encourage and help the people around us.
Maybe you’ve been through a tough season – grief, loss, illness, or hardship – and now you can use that experience to comfort someone else. Or maybe you’re in the middle of a storm right now, and God is calling you to be a voice of faith for others who feel hopeless.
If you’re in a storm like this, ask yourself: How can I use my struggle to encourage someone else?
Storms Will Come – But So Will Jesus
No matter what kind of storm you’re facing – whether it’s one that’s meant to correct, protect, or Instruct – you can be sure of one thing: God is in control.
- If your storm is a corrective one, like Jonah’s, stop running from God. Turn back to Him.
- If your storm is a protective one, like the disciples’, remember that Jesus is in your boat, and
- If your storm is an instructive one, like Paul’s, ask how you can use this experience to encourage and lead others.
Storms are tough, but they don’t last forever. And through every wave, every wind, and every moment of fear, God is with you.
Blessings Nico