Finding calmness in the storms of life can be quite difficult. I grew up in Texas right in the middle of a tornado alley. Sirens blare warning people a storm is coming and advising them to seek shelter.

Sometimes storms of life come with warning bells. The winds of anger and bitterness blow against you. Harsh words are spoken. False accusations are made, and you’re left with wounds that injure your soul. Other times the storms come unexpectedly.

Such was the case when Jesus told the disciples to get in the boat and cross over to the other side of the sea. They did exactly what he told them to do and yet the waves crashed in a storm that threatened their lives.

Today I want to encourage you as you may be in the center of God’s will for your life wondering why the storms rage. Stay tuned for more on how to anchor your soul.

The Storms of Life You Create

You are not alone in the storms that come and go in your life. Everyone experiences them. Growing up in Texas we had what was known as tornado season. Usually, it began in the spring and lasted a couple of months. Lately, nothing is normal with weather patterns, and they seem to come throughout the year.

Isn’t that how it is in life? You learn to read the barometer in relationships and anticipate potential issues. Planning and preparation may hold the storm at bay. And sometimes you’ve just had enough and blow-up saying things you later regret. You’ve created the storm you hoped to avoid.

I’ve been there and I want to say don’t beat yourself up. Learn from the mistakes you make and grow from there. Don’t get caught up in the guilt and shame that linger like the debris strown all over once the storm has passed. Pick up the pieces and make amends where needed and then move on.

Unexpected Storms

Estrangement is a storm all by itself. The barometric pressure rises and falls when two hurt souls get together. Lingering hurt from previous conversations stirs up the winds of anger and bitterness. You’ve worked through some of these emotions and for the moment, life is calm.

That’s where I was when I discovered the waves were crashing over me threatening to capsize the boat called life. And the only way I knew it was happening was the restlessness inside of me. The fear that arose. Sharpness in my voice. Anger that lay beneath the surface.

Where was all this coming from? As I talked about it with a trusted friend, it was brought to my attention that I was dealing with grief and loss.

All of this surrounded my boat of life, and I hadn’t seen the storms coming until they began to crash into me and rock my world. I needed to find calmness in these storms.

How Do You Find Calmness in the Storms of Life?

The first step in finding calmness in the storms of life is to recognize what’s around you. What are you dealing with? Write it down.

Are you amid a job change? How is your marriage? Do you have support or conflict? Are you taking care of an aging parent? What’s going on in your life?

Then, take stock of your emotional state. What’s going on there? For some, it’s hard to name emotions. You feel so overwhelmed you don’t even know what they are. Get alone and pray. Ask God to show you. It was easy for me to name the bitterness and anger in estranged relationships.

Taking care of your emotional needs in the storms of life is essential. You’ll be no good to anyone else if you don’t care of you.

Anchor Your Soul to Jesus

In the story of Jesus coming to the disciples at 3 am in the morning, it’s interesting to see that they were all awake and fearful of the storm that raged around them. Jesus wasn’t far behind. He had stayed back to pray, and he was now walking through the storm to the disciples.

When they saw him, they were afraid, and Peter doubted him. He asked for Jesus to allow him to walk on water to him and Jesus said one word. Come. Jesus didn’t rebuke him for doubting.

Peter climbed out of the boat which in my mind took quite a bit of courage. The sea was still rough, and the storm had not yet subsided and yet Peter attempted what no one else had done. And all went well until Peter took his eyes off Jesus and placed his focus on the stormy sea.

Haven’t we all done that? I can imagine that I would be saying “What in the world have I done? Why would I leave the boat to prove a point? I’m going to die.” Peter may have been thinking this as he began to sink. He cried out for Jesus to save him. And Jesus did.

The safest place for our soul in the storms of life is anchored to Jesus. The one who calms the storm. The one who can save us from our doubts and fears.

Do you need calmness in your storm?

Will you reach out to Jesus and let him save you from the crashing waves?

Will you anchor your soul to him and trust him to calm the storms?

When the Storms of Life Cease to Rage

When Jesus and Peter climbed back into the boat, Jesus rebuked the wind, and the storm abated. What? Just seconds ago, the disciples thought they would capsize and now with Jesus in the boat, the sea is calm. Yes, he has that kind of power.

But we need to cry out for it. Lord, save me.

When I recognized the storms of life that surrounded me, I did cry out. And he led me to someone that could help me make sense of it all. One that could help me identify the emotions and reasons behind them.

Discovering these things helped calm my storm. I could not see clearly what was causing the waves to swirl and the winds to toss my emotions around haphazardly. I could identify my emotions, challenge my beliefs, and learn my triggers.

Like the disciples in the boat, I felt I was doing what God had asked me to do and yet the storms of life came. Storms are part of life.

Anchor your soul to Jesus.

Ask him to help you through the storms until he calms the sea.

Be open to his leading if you need to talk with someone more deeply about your issues.

Until next time, learn to recognize the weather patterns in your life. Avoid obvious storms and when they do come, know that Jesus has his hand extended and is ready for you to reach out.

TOPIC: Podcast