Storms of Life

It is amazing how one phone call can change a life. Or, one diagnosis can rock a family. Or, one accident can alter ones existence. Or, one decision can damage so many lives. Bad things happen to everyone. Good people, bad people, rich people, poor people, smart people, simple people all have storms which rage in their lives. Hardship is the common denominator of human existence.

Understanding God is sovereign over all people, places, and things, why does He allow storms to rage in our lives? If God can stop calamity from occurring, why does he allow it to continue?

Volumes have been written on this topic, but essentially two types of storms are allowed into our lives. God allows storms of perfection and storms of correction to enter into our lives.

For instance, the biblical example of Job demonstrates a storm of perfection. Scripture states that Job was a blameless man, who was put through extreme trials. Through Job’s trial his faith was perfected. James 1:2-4 states:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

When we find ourselves in life’s storms, we must ask is this a storm of perfection?

Next, the biblical example of Jonah demonstrates a storm of correction. Scripture states that God commanded Jonah to preach to the city of Nineveh. Resisting God’s will, Jonah headed in the opposite direction. He finds himself on a ship, in a storm, a storm of correction. Eventually, Jonah is partially digested by a fish and regurgitated onto the land. Jonah experienced the discipline of God. God loved Jonah enough not to let him continue in his sin. Hebrews 12:7 states:

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?”When we find ourselves in life’s storms, we must ask is this a storm of correction?

In conclusion, Jesus told us that in this world we would have trouble, but that He had overcome the world (John 16:33). If Christ Himself us told about troubles to come and if He Himself endured the storms of life personally, we should not be surprised by the storms. Simply, we must ask, “Is this for my perfection or correction?”