Growing up in Oklahoma, you learn early on that a storm can come seemingly out of nowhere, and it can come fast. That’s what happened one night driving home from Kansas on I-35. The weather was fine…until it wasn’t. The dark clouds opened up and released their fury. Sheets of rain made visibility impossible. Wind whipped my car. And hail the size of golf balls pelted off my windshield. 

Going through life, you learn that storms can come seemingly from nowhere, and they can come fast. This week, I spoke with a young husband whose storm came through a phone call when the doctor reported that his wife’s tumor was malignant. A couple of weeks ago, I spoke with a young wife whose husband announced he was leaving. I read an email yesterday from a woman whose storms had her questioning her faith and feeling like God had abandoned her. 

Today’s proverb reminds us that storms will come…seemingly out of nowhere. But when they do, we cling to the One who gives confidence. 

Proverbs 3:25-26
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

I had a seminary professor speak at our church years ago, and he described life as heading into a storm, being in the middle of a storm, or just leaving a storm. He used it as a sermon opener. When I first heard it, I thought, “That’s a bit pessimistic!” But the longer I live, the more I believe his statement is true. The sermon he preached that day to our church, meeting in a high school auditorium at that time, was not about storms but about the One who gives us confidence in the storm. We don’t have to live in fear—even when the storm comes—the Lord is our confidence. He is all we need. He is all we will ever need. 

If you are in a storm today—let’s pray together. If you know a person going through a storm, you can pray this prayer with them. 

Father, I admit I am scared. I feel alone, forgotten, and abandoned. I am angry, questioning, and confused. I want my old life back. I want my health back. I want my relationship restored. I don’t want to be rocked by the storm. I can’t fix things…even my feelings towards you. I feel like you abandoned me. So, I lay myself before you—helpless and hurting. Please give me the confidence you promise in this proverb. Lord, you said you would be my confidence and keep my feet from being caught. I am going to trust your promise. Please deliver peace and calm to my soul, in Jesus’ name. 

You don’t have to say Amen—just keep pouring out your heart to the One—the only One—who can bring calm to your storm.