How to Praise God in the Storm

One rather windy day I drove into our little town and could see whitecaps forming on the lake. I’ve always loved being near the water, so I decided to take a closer look by pulling into the parking lot of a restaurant right on the lake.  

As I looked to my left, I saw the angry wind-tossed waves crashing into the breakwater sending droplets of water high up into the air. And then as I turned to my right, I saw all the boats safely secured within the harbor.  

The boats seemed blissfully unaware of the turbulence all around them. The wind could not move them because they were tethered firmly to the dock. The waves could not reach them because the breakwater stood in the way.  

When I looked one way, I saw a picture of chaos.

But when I looked the other way, I saw a picture of peace.  

The scene around me perfectly illustrated the choice we have to make whenever we face a storm in life. 

In those moments when life is hard, we can choose to look at the wind and the waves, so we only see the confusion and misery of our circumstances. Or we can choose to look at Jesus, so even with all the turmoil swirling around us we can still find hope and peace.  

As Christians, Jesus is our loving breakwater standing in the way of the storm. His death on the cross ensures the waves will not drown us.  Even when the difficulties of life try to push against us like a gale force wind, His love for us is a rope of strength keeping us safely tethered to Him. 

In Psalm 46:1-3 the psalmist reminds us that God is our refuge and strength. That God is always ready to help us and then the psalmist declares not to fear as he goes on to describe some of the scariest things that could ever happen.  

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!”

-Psalms 46:1-3 NLT

His confident declaration encourages us to remember that even when life gives us every reason to fear we do not have to give in to that fear. After all, if God is for us then nothing can be against us. (Romans 8:31) 

So how do we praise God when the storms of life come rushing in?

We make the choice to fix our gaze on:

• The God who loves us (1 John 4:9).
• The God who promises nothing could ever come between us (Romans 8:38-39).
• The God who is right by our side (Deut. 31:6).
• The God who has a plan for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11).
• And the God who has promised He will work ALL things out for our good (Romans 8:28). 

We can choose to praise Him in the storm because we know . . . no matter what happens, our souls are safe in the harbor. 

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” 

-Psalm 23:4 NLT

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