3 Truths to Remember When You are Waiting Out a Storm

I recently visited a very popular and touristy restaurant with my husband and son. This place is famous for its life-like wildlife and jungle sounds. The soundtrack plays a never-ending loop of animal sounds and includes a thunderstorm of epic proportions with accompanying crashes and flashes of lighting.

I noticed a little girl, about six or seven, looking frightful. Before the completion of the first of many giant thunderstorms that would come our way during our two-hour-stay, she’d slid underneath the table and was clinging to her father’s feet. Tears streamed down a terrified but angelic face. I had to look away.

But though I looked away initially, I’d always look back at her, checking to see if she was okay as she waited for the storm to pass. I remember wishing I could somehow hurry it up for her—somehow take away the scariness.

I think I was just as relieved as she was when the thundering trailed off, only to be replaced by screaming monkeys—or whatever that sound was. She then made her way back up to her chair and returned to visiting with others at the table.

Until…

Another storm boomed through the speakers of the dark and loud café. Back down she went, clinging to her father’s feet, to wait out yet another storm.

But something interesting happened around the fifth thunderstorm.

Though she still slid underneath the table and crawled over to her father’s feet that once terrified girl sat quietly, gracefully almost. She wasn’t crying this time; at last, she’d put on her brave face. I think she had confidence that this storm would pass just like all the other storms before. She had faith that her father was near, and that, before long, she’d be able to pop out of the darkness once again and be restored to her previous position at the table.

We all have storms in our lives at one time or another, some small and some supersized. If you’re in the midst of a storm right now, may these three truths offer you comfort and hope as you hold tight, waiting for the storm to pass.

Truth #1: Faith and Patience Go Hand-in-Hand

I don’t think any of us like trials of any kind. Sometimes it seems our trials or storms last way too long. We know there’s got to be a shorter path, a quicker route to get us on the other side of it, but God chooses to take us on a different route.

There’ve been times in my life when He’s kept me in a certain place longer than anyone would’ve expected. He orchestrated and precisely altered events that should’ve taken days and caused them to be delayed for weeks, even months. His divine detours kept me in that difficult place longer than expected and certainly longer than I wanted. I found myself saying things like, “If only He’d…” and “I wish God would…” Has that ever happened to you?

His timing is not the same as ours. He sees the big picture, and we see only a snippet. When He keeps us in the hard places instead of delivering us right away, I believe it’s so that we grow to depend on Him more--to mold us and shape us, conform us into His image. The storms teach us patience. They help strengthen our trust and faith, that we would become spiritually mature and sensitive to His calling on our lives.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31(KJV)

Though the storm is fierce and your little wings are soaked and weary, be patient and trust. He loves you and cares about you. Cast your care and rest, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:3 (NKJV)

Truth #2: Something’s Happening Behind the Scenes

Maybe we ask ourselves why and wonder when it’ll all be over. And during the storm, we rarely can see its significance or why it has to happen. I think they call that ‘being human.’

Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that His ways are much higher than our ways and His thoughts much higher than our thoughts. We, as mere mortals, just won’t always know the reason behind how God works in our lives, why He chooses a particular storm for one and not another.

We’re not expected to know all of the answers. We’re only expected to trust Him.

What we can be sure of is that no matter how long the storm lasts or how hard the trial is, He is always working behind the scenes--even when it seems like nothing’s happening. And He’s not forgotten us nor has He left us. He loves us, dear believers, and is constantly concerning Himself with the intricacies and nuances of each of our lives.  Even when it doesn’t feel good, when it hurts more than you can bare, He is diligently attending to working out that which is for our good. Romans 8:28

Truth #3: He is Faithful to Deliver You—Again

I don’t know if it’s the fast-paced culture we live in or just forgetfulness, but I’ve not been making a conscious effort to remember those times He’s brought me through the storms. 

Have you ever had times in your life that you’re sure, in that moment, that you’ll never forget--and then you do? I hate to admit that sometimes it’s that way with me and the things God has done for me in the past.

Lately, however, I’m consciously making an effort to remember those times by reviewing old journal entries and scribbled love letters I once wrote to Him. I’ve found that when I revisit the times in my life when He delivered me that I am comforted. I’m reminded of His faithfulness and His promises for me.

When I recall past times when He was so evident in my life—things that were impossible with man but were easy-peasy for Him—oh, how my faith is renewed and my soul comforted.

Friends, if He brought us through the storm before, He’s faithful to bring us through the storm again. As believers, we can have faith that He will be with us the whole way. In the storms we face, may these truths offer you comfort as you cling to your Heavenly Father’s feet, put on your brave face, and wait for the storm to pass.

Writer by day, transcriber by night, Renée is a former educator, boy mom, PPD survivor, and recovering fear-a-holic. She lives on Christ and caffeine as she attempts to finally transcend mediocrity and live the life Jesus died for her to have. When not tied to her desktop and swimming in coffee, the Floridian can be found wherever the water is salty, spending time with her son and husband of 15 years.

She’s a contributor to The Good Men Project, iBelieve, and, most recently, The Washington Post. You can learn more about Renee’s journey and her passion for helping women find their worth in the Word, not the world, at The Stay@Home Scribe.

Publication date: May 10, 2016