Peace In The Midst Of Life’s Storms

Storms are part of life. Life in this world is not smooth. We live in a fallen world full of fallen human beings. Since the fall of Adam, human beings are born with a sinful nature. We have a propensity towards sin since birth, until we encounter Jesus Christ. During our life on earth, we will face trials and tribulations. However, in Christ Jesus, it is possible to have peace in the midst of life’s storms.

Storms of life come in many forms; diseases and illnesses, natural disasters, accidents, persecution from other people, failed relationships, abuse and misuse by other people, heartbreaks and hurts, losses of different types, and such like.

Do not be surprised when storms hit, rather, always be prepared, and know Who to run to, and you will experience peace in the midst of life’s storms.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13.

When storms hit, people respond in different ways. Some are shocked, others panic, others are full of worry and anxiety, others turn to other people, others turn to addictions, but the wise turn to God and are able to experience peace in the midst of life’s storms.

Fear is rampant in the world today. When something unexpected comes up, people get fearful and go into self-preservation mode. In an effort to self-preserve, many end up behaving in ways that are unloving towards their neighbor.

The selfishness of human nature becomes evident during times of crisis, where many people do what is in their best interest, without considering those around. At times people unite to get rid of the crisis, but that unity can also be fueled by selfish interests or in order to get human praise and validation.

It is good to come together and help each other, but let our motivation come from a place of love for God’s glory.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7–8. Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:1–4.

It is possible to have peace in the midst of life’s storms. This type of peace only comes from God and is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Outer turmoil in the world should not translate into inner turmoil in our hearts. Even when everyone around us is fearful, anxious, full of worry and in panic, we can remain peaceful. This does not mean that we are ignorant of what is going on around us, on the contrary, we are fully aware, but we place our trust in the Lord.

We are to fix our eyes on Jesus Christ, and when we do, we are able to remain grounded, even when everything around us is falling apart. Jesus Christ is our hope, He is our security, He is our safe place, He is our Rock and fortress, and because of this, we are not moved even when storms rage. In Jesus, we get to experience peace in the midst of life’s storms.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22–23. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah, is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3–4.

Worry and anxiety come when we remove our eyes from Jesus.

When we stop looking upon God and fix our eyes on our circumstances and on what is going on around the world, our hearts become troubled and we start to panic. We start concentrating on how bad the situation is, and we end up forgetting how big and powerful God is.

We have to remember that there is no storm too big that God cannot calm, there is no disease too deadly that God cannot heal us from, there is no plague too big that God cannot protect us from, and there is nothing in this world that God cannot shelter, protect, deliver, and save us from. Our faith should always be in the Lord, and not on people, not on the government, not on technology, not on science or anything else of this world. Fix your eyes on God and experience peace in the midst of life’s storms.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1–2. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:2–3.

We tend to become restless when we are too concerned about the outcome and timing of events in our lives. When we expect things to work out a certain way but they do not, we end up becoming worried and then try to force things to work out the way we want. When we expect something to happen by a certain time and in a certain way, then we set up ourselves for heartache, worry, anxiety, pain, and fear-based reactions.

The best way to live is by surrendering to God and allowing His will to prevail in our lives.

We have to realize that God’s will is the perfect will, and His way is the best way. God knows best and He works out all things for our good and for His glory. Do not be focused on trying to have your way, if you do that, you will find yourself restless, anxious, emotionally unstable, and you may even become physically sick. Learn to rest in God and submit to His will and His timing. In His timing, God makes everything beautiful.

As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Psalm 18:30. My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:5–8.

Let the peace of God guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. The peace that God gives is not dependent on our circumstances, rather, even when our circumstances are chaotic, we still experience the peace of God. With God, we are able to experience peace in the midst of life’s storms.

Peace comes by placing our trust in the Lord at all times and standing on the promises of God. We know Christ is our hope, and that no matter what happens, we are sure that God will never leave us nor forsake us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Know your identity in God. As children of God, we are to be set-apart from the world.

When the world is running up and down, we are able to remain calm because we know who our Father is.

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. Philippians 4:6–7.

Work on growing closer to God, study the Word of God, pray without ceasing, and pursue peace with all men, as well as holiness and righteousness. When we are right with God and are living our lives for the honor and glory of God in obedience to His Word, and are being led by the Holy Spirit, then we really have nothing to fear or worry about. The people who should be worried are those who live for themselves to satisfy their own carnal desires.

Those living in sin have everything to be worried about, because if they die in that state, they will end up in hell. Because of that, we as children of God are to be the light and salt to this dark world, and should never conform to the patterns of the world. Let the world come to us and seek to find out the reason for our hope.

We know all things work out together for good to them that love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. We do not fear even death; we know even if and when we die, we will go to heaven and live with God for eternity. To live is Christ, to die is gain. Live for Christ all the days of your life, and when the day comes to leave this world, know you will inherit eternal life. With God, it is always a win-win.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13–14. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10.

Blessings.

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Originally published at https://www.vickysforum.com on February 11, 2022.