How to Face the Storms of Life with Faith & Strength
I can’t tell you how many times in the past few months I’ve cried out to the Lord praying, “I can’t do this. I need You.”
Life is hard sometimes, isn’t it?
I hate the storms of life! I want clear skies and still water but like the disciples in the boat when the storm blew in on the Sea of Galilee, it’s easy to feel like our Savior is sleeping in the back of the boat…
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion. The disciples woke Him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
Mark 4:38
But even before they cried out, Jesus was well aware of their circumstances and He’s always aware of yours and mine too. He hears the cries of our hearts and He speaks…
He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:39
Does He always calm the storm?
Sadly no.
But maybe it’s not “sadly.” The Lord knows and I’ve learned that I’m more likely to run to Him when it feels like I’m about to drown than when the water is smooth.
The truth is, He’s in control whatever the weather or circumstances. You and I are tempted to believe we can handle things independently when the sun shines and all is well. So, it’s possible He allows the occasional storm to remind us of our need for Him and His willingness to help.
Isaiah wrote…
O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?
Isaiah 40:27–28
O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?
Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of His understanding.
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
God can give us what we need whatever our circumstances and even though He may not change the circumstances, He will provide us with spiritual strength and power to endure.
So, let’s look at a few promises to hold onto when the waves are high and we need the reminder that the Lord’s not sleeping … that He is with us and He is always in control.
The Psalmist wrote…
I look up to the mountains—
Psalm 121:1–4
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble;
the One who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, He who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
Proverbs 3:5
do not depend on your own understanding.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:19
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
I know, we all want clear skies and smooth water but when God allows the storms of life, we need to remember that He is with us and giving us everything we need to live with faith and walk in strength.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Face the Storms of Life
with Faith and Power
Father God, I confess that I want life to be easy. I want clear skies and still waters. I want peace and joy without struggles and stress. But the truth is when life is problem-free, I can become lazy, self-absorbed, and selfish. I’m sorry, Lord. Please forgive me.
Please help me remember that You are always with me. You are continuously aware of all that happens in my life. I understand there are times when You allow storms in my life to help me remember that You are always with me. You never “slumber nor sleep.” You want me to come to You admitting that I need Your help.
And by Your grace, when I cry out to You, You assure me that everything is possible for You. You remind me that I can live through the storms of life because You are my strength and shield. You show me that You are willing and able to help me and when You do, my faith roots grow more deeply into Your love. And when You calm the storm around me or in me, You assure me that I can trust You completely.
I worship You! You are the One who calms the storms in me and around me and I trust that You will hold my heart and soul with Your victorious right hand now and forever. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
We had a thunderstorm the other night that had us rushing around trying to keep our cars safe from damaging hail.
The truth is storms come and go. Some are unsettling and some terrifying … but whatever the storm. We are not alone. The Lord is with us and He will give us whatever He knows we need.
So, today’s Proverb reminds us to keep the Lord’s promises close to our hearts so we can ride out the storms of life with faith and strength.
For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
Proverbs 22:18–19
and always ready on your lips.
I am teaching you today—yes, you—
so you will trust in the Lord.
May the Lord be with you and bless you as He lifts you up with His victorious right hand.
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I think all of us want smooth sailing in life, but that’s simply not realistic, Deb. We all need to know and believe that God is always there for us, no matter what.
Blessings!
That’s truly one of God’s greatest blessings. Next to our salvation through Jesus … His presence gets us through this life with faith, hope, and love. Blessings, sweet friend!
Fist of all thank you for this wonderful message. At present I am facing storms in my life. I have been facing such storms in my life many a times and praying to Jesus for help is the best solution and truly he has helped me through toughest times I never felt that I am alone and after reading your post I felt like this is for me I am waiting patiently for my time to come so that I can help someone some day. I know I am not the only one suffering, there are so many people going through worst situations. Thank you Lord for everything you do for me and my family in Jesus mighty name Amen.
Thank you so much, Athena. I’m sorry you are going through a difficult storm. You’re right though, after God has brought us through previous storms we have greater trust in Him throughout the present one. And you have not idea who you are touching with your story right now. I know you are blessing and encouraging all of us here. Rev and I would say that maybe God allowed his illness because there was a nurse or doctor and helper that God touched through our circumstances. I know there were many who blessed and encouraged us. He is always at work in us and around us. May the Lord be with you and bless you.
What a wonderful post! We all do have our storms of life; some tougher than others. I can only imagine how hard yours have been lately. You are such a strong and faithful lady. God, I know has to be so proud of you and your ministry. You have been such a good support for all of us, even though you have had such a “storm” to go through. Deb, you are so very right! Through my storms,( and this one I have been going through for the last two years has been one of the roughest,) God has drawn me so close to HIM. Waking up in the night with an anxiety attack, I immediately reach out to the ONE I KNOW IS THERE!! I love Proverbs 3:5. I find myself repeating it daily. And Isaiah 41:10 is another as well. Thank GOODNESS for our Bible! And, my dear friend, thank GOODNESS FOR YOU!! Love You!
Thank you so much, dear friend! I know you have been living through a heartbreaking storm. We are so blessed that the Lord allows us to feel His presence and trust His promises. I cling to Proverbs 3:5 too. And oh, how I love Isaiah 41:10. He never leaves us alone and His presence is what we need most. Blessings and Hugs! I’m so very glad the Lord made us friends!
ME TOO! ME TOO!
Deb … I personally think you are reaching people more deeply through your trial of loss than any other time in your life. Your faith speaks loudly to us reading your words because we know that you are clinging to God Most High during a time other widows are clinging to family and friends to carry them through the storm. You may not see or realize this, but God is speaking to hundreds and hundreds through your faithfulness that HE IS ENOUGH.
Blessings dear one.
AMEN!!
Thank you for your kind encouragement, Mary! God is giving me strength each day. I’ll admit, I do a lot of crying out to Him for comfort and strength and by His grace, He is faithful. His grace really is sufficient. Yes, HE IS ENOUGH. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced but I have confidence in the truth that God is greater. I can’t tell you how much your kindness blesses me. It is friends like you, who encourage me and lift me up through your prayers and kindness. Have a wonderfully blessed day!
This is so true! Who wants to deal with a storm? It can feel like we are not going to survive sometimes. The strong emotions that come with super serious storms can feel like you are going to drown. However we somehow still make it and usually come out stronger. 🙂
I agree, Christina! It is the times that God has sustained me through life’s storms that I have learned that I can trust Him with everything that happens … good and bad. God’s blessings!
Thank you Deb. Brent and I are facing a storm right now….we are trying to be faithful and praying for strength, patience, and especially for me-endurance for this journey. 💕
Oh, Karen, I am faithfully praying for you both. I know God is with you and holding onto you as He held on to Rev and me. Much love to you both!
Deb, this post and all your posts to us are so full of encouragement and comfort! I think all of life is a storm of sorts! Some storms worse than others, and even if the sun is shining in our lives, it is storming somewhere in the life of others that need our help and prayers. I read once and have never forgotten “that God sometimes lets the storm rage and calms the child.” I thought this was indeed so beautiful and so true! It is so comforting the feel the calm as a child of God, as the constant storms are raging all around us in the brokenness of the world today. And I feel such a comfort from all the comments and testimonials your readers share here! They touch my heart continually and indeed your ministry is touching so many lives, through so many! Praise God, that our “Lifeguard Walks on Water” and will always save us from drowning! Bless you, Deb. I know God is calming you in your dark storm, and you are comforting others in their storms. Prayers for calm in the storms to everyone today! And blessings to all the special friends I have found here!
Thank you, Kathy! God is so good! I can’t begin to count how many times I go to Him each day asking for His peace, comfort, and strength. Knowing and loving Him is life’s greatest blessing. And high on my list of blessings are my friends, like you, who bless and encourage me with your faith and love. God be with you and bless you, my friend!
Hi Kathy,
I was so glad to see your reply today to the post. I have missed you but know how busy you are.
I hope that you know what a blessing you are to me.
Please take care and know that you are cared about.
Hugs!
Thank you, Deb, for gathering these precious scripture promises when we’re especially needful of encouragement and strength. Praise God he moves in especially close during the storms of life!
I’m so glad they blessed you, Nancy. Yes, I am so thankful for His presence and the strength He gives especially through life’s storms. God bless you!
I needed to hear this today. Been going through some rough seas, and it’s a great reminder that He is always with me.
I’m so glad it blessed and encouraged you, Lisa. Thank you for visiting and for taking the time to say “hello.” God be with you and bless you greatly.