There’s a hurricane headed our way, and like many families along the Gulf Coast, we’re shut in, watching the weather, making preparations, and waiting to see what happens next.
But today, I did something that may seem a little unusual to some folks.
I walked my property, anointed it with oil, and prayed.
I prayed over my home, my family, my property, and everything God has entrusted to my care. And when I finished praying, I had something that no weather forecast, hurricane tracker, or emergency alert could give me.
Peace.
Not because the hurricane suddenly changed direction. Not because the threat disappeared. Not because I have some special guarantee that nothing will happen.
But because I know who holds tomorrow.
Faith Doesn’t Mean the Storm Isn’t Real
Now, don’t misunderstand me. I’m not suggesting that we ignore hurricane warnings, neglect preparations, or refuse to evacuate when necessary. God gave us wisdom, too, and we ought to use it!
We have responsibilities to protect our families, secure our homes, and make informed decisions.
But there’s a difference between being prepared and being consumed by fear.
Some of us have spent so much time watching the forecast that we’ve forgotten to look toward Heaven.
We’re checking the radar every fifteen minutes, reading every social media prediction, and allowing every new update to steal a little more of our peace.
Meanwhile, God is still God.
And the same God who kept us yesterday is fully capable of keeping us today.
Prayer Changes Our Posture
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us:
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
That scripture doesn’t say trouble won’t come.
It doesn’t say we won’t experience uncertainty, hardship, or circumstances beyond our control.
It tells us what to do when those circumstances arise.
PRAY.
Instead of allowing anxiety to dominate our thoughts, we’re instructed to bring our concerns before God.
And here’s what I love about that passage: God doesn’t promise to explain everything to us before He gives us peace.
Sometimes the situation hasn’t changed at all, but something on the inside of us has.
That’s the peace that surpasses understanding.
It’s being able to say, “Lord, I don’t know exactly what’s coming, but I know You’re already there.”
Jesus Wasn’t Panicking in the Storm
In Mark 4, the disciples found themselves caught in a violent storm. The wind was blowing, the waves were crashing, and their boat was filling with water.
And where was Jesus?
Asleep.
Now, imagine that! Everybody else is convinced they’re about to die, and Jesus is resting.
When they woke Him, He rebuked the wind and spoke to the sea:
“Peace, be still.” — Mark 4:39
But what stands out to me is that Jesus had peace before He calmed the storm.
His peace wasn’t dependent upon the conditions surrounding Him.
And that’s the kind of faith I want operating in my life.
Not a faith that only works when everything is going according to plan, but a faith that remains anchored when everything around me is uncertain.
Whatever Your Storm Looks Like
Maybe you’re not dealing with an actual hurricane.
Maybe your storm is financial difficulty, a troubling medical report, family conflict, unemployment, or a situation you’ve been praying about for months.
Whatever it is, I want to encourage you today.
Don’t allow the size of your storm to make you forget the greatness of your God.
Pray about it. Do what you can responsibly do. Seek wisdom. Take the necessary precautions.
And then trust God with what remains outside your control.
Because worrying about tomorrow won’t give us control over tomorrow. It’ll only rob us of the peace available to us today.
My Prayer for You
As this hurricane approaches, I’m praying for protection over every family in its path. I’m praying for those who have evacuated, those sheltering in place, our first responders, and those who may not have the resources to prepare adequately.
I’m praying that lives are preserved, homes are protected, and communities are strengthened.
But beyond this particular storm, I’m praying that we learn to trust God in every season of uncertainty.
Today, I’ve done what I know to do. I’ve prepared, I’ve prayed, and I’ve placed my confidence in the Lord.
And while I cannot tell you exactly what the next few days will bring, I can tell you this:
My peace is not coming from the weather report. My peace is coming from Jesus Christ.
The storm may be approaching, but I refuse to let fear take up residence in my heart.
Be safe. Be wise. Stay prayerful.
And remember, the God we serve is still worthy of our trust, even when the winds begin to blow.
Peace isn’t the absence of a storm. It’s the presence of God in the middle of one.
— Kelly Rose
