You Sent A Raging Storm

Into my comfortable world,
where pleasures were many,
comfort was frequent,
and smiles came easy,
you sent a raging storm.
Broken things,
uprooted things,
lost things,
left in its wake.
Tears flowed,
hurt followed,
anger rushed in,
confusion enveloped,
questions haunted,
answers evaded,
peace crumbled.
Ruins of hope piled up,
faith’s foundations weakened.
Broken buildings,
a metaphor of the heart.
You didn’t send the storm
to judge,
to punish,
to condemn,
to forsake.
The wind and the waves
didn’t pound me with your anger,
but surrounded me with your love.
The tumult was your rescue,
a deeper storm had blown me
away from you.
A storm of the heart,
broken things,
uprooted things,
lost things.
Then you stormed in.
Powerful grace restored me to you.
May your holy storm of mercy
blow again.

“Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.” (Mark 6:45-52, ESV)

Why did Jesus send his disciples into that storm? He did it for the same reason he sometimes sends you into storms—because he knows that sometimes you need the storm in order to be able to see the glory.

For the believer, peace is not to be found in the ease of life. Real peace is only ever found in the presence, power, and grace of the Savior, the King, the Lamb, the I Am. That peace is yours even when the storms of life take you beyond your natural ability, wisdom, and strength.

You can live with hope and courage in the middle of what once would have produced discouragement and fear because you know you are never alone.

The I Am inhabits all situations, relationships, and locations by his grace. He is in you. He is with you. He is for you. He is your hope.

God bless,

Paul David Tripp

Reflection Questions

1. How comfortable is your world? How many pleasures do you experience regularly? Do smiles come easy because of favorable circumstances?

2. List some of the comforts that you enjoy. How can you praise the Giver, celebrate his generosity, and share these gifts with others?

3. What storm has the Lord sent into your life recently? What did this storm uproot and break?

4. In what way did this storm uproot and break idols of the heart that were replacing love of God with love of self or love of comfort? What, specifically, did this storm expose?

5. Who do you know who is experiencing a storm? How can you remind them of the peace that is only ever found in the presence, power, and grace of their Savior?