There are numerous spiritual lessons we can learn from storms. These lessons will transform us into a more wholesome and valuable individual. We must forever learn how to embrace these lessons. The reality is that storms are inevitable – whether we like them or not. We might try our very best to prevent them from happening, but in storms we have little to no control. The only control we have in stormy weather is to be faithful and wait for the after storm.
I remember growing up in Jamaica and the many storms we had to endure. In stormy weather it’s like the whole world is going to end. The roofs will make the most scary sounds as the strong winds take course. In the middle of the storm it is very dark and lonely and the impacts can be very great.
Yet storms never last forever. I use to love the after storm. Not only is it much more calm, but it is much more hopeful. There is a sigh of relief after all of this turbulence and you become thankful to make it out alive.
Isn’t it very similar when we face the spiritual storms of life?
We cannot predict our storms but we can predict our faith. Also, we might have limited control over our storms but we always have control over our faith. We can expect the best outcome while waiting for it, or we can have a negative outlook.
The Psalmist said; “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Here we find the Psalmist expecting something good to happen amidst a negative encounter.
There are many lessons we can learn from storms. These lessons can help us navigate our own stormy weather and guide us to the after storm. In this blogpost I want to share with you 5 essential spiritual lessons we can learn from storms and how to adapt these lessons in order to live a more wholesome life.
May they bless you and may you make it to the calm after you own storm. Let’s dive in.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning— Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
5 Essential Spiritual Lessons We Can Learn From Storms
1. Storms Teach Us That Nothing Lasts Forever
Nothing lasts forever. Not even our storms. Like physical storms our spiritual storms will one day come to an end. You might be in the middle of a storm, and the strong winds might be rushing at your door, but remain steadfast and continue to be faithful. The reality is that this too shall pass.
I’ve had many storms. There have been times I’ve been submerged in the storms of life, and the strong winds have shaken my roof. But what I have found is that when we expect the best we often receive it. It is true that what we believe we receive.
Be faithful in the storm. The howling of the wind might scare you but don’t be afraid. Consider that Christ is right there with you in the middle of every storm. He has promised that He will never leave you or forsake you. He might seem quiet when the turbulence rage but His presence is faithful.
Matthew 8 gives us a perfect narrative. The Bible tells us that Jesus was with His disciples in the middle of a storm but He was sleeping. His disciples were troubled and woke him. They said to Him “Lord save us, we’re going down.” Do you feel you are going down? Are you intimidated when the lightning flash. Don’t ever lose courage and never give up.
Jesus’ response was “You of little faith, why are you afraid?” Then Jesus calmed the storm. The disciples were so amazed. Their response was “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Every wind and every wave will obey the command of Jesus Christ our Lord. All we have to do is have faith and know that He will bring our storms to an end.
2. Storms Remove Deadness
When it comes to spiritual lessons we can learn from storms we should note that storms remove deadness. One thing that happens in storms is that the strong winds and raging waters will uproot dead vegetations and make way for new growth. The heavy rainfall will also remove bacteria and other pollutants that once caused negative impacts on the environment. After a storm it might seem barren but this is the foundation of what will be lush and healthy growth.
Consider our own life storms, how they uproot some areas of our lives that were bad for us. A storm can also leave us in a state of barrenness but this is the foundation of what will be a much more wholesome and valuable individual. A storm will make way for a better you. Yet you have to follow this way. You always have the option to be broken or to be built. I encourage you to be built in Jesus name.
A storm will make way for a better you
3. Storms Make Way For New Growth
The most beautiful vegetation will appear after the passing of the storm. During a storm the heavy winds and howling waters will move new plants to new areas and spread seeds across landmarks. When this happens we will see new types of plants in areas they were once absent.
When we pass through our own storms we’ll also experience similar newness. Storms can get rid of some old toxic habits and make way for us to adapt new one. Storms will also give us the opportunity to start anew amidst the passing of those strong winds. It makes sense that in order for us to have new growth then we have to have space for that new growth. The storms of life create this space for us to experience the newness of life God wants to bring us into.
What we see here is the wisdom of God at work. It might seem like the storm has come to destroy you, but what it wants to do is destroy parts of you to make way for a new you. You must be transformed and most times this transformation happens through the strong winds of the storms we have to endure.
4. Storms Teach Us To Let Go And Let God
The fact that we have little to no control over a storm tells that we have to let the storm take course. We have to watch it, sometimes in fear, gasping for faith, letting go and letting nature take its course.
Let us consider the scripture found in Matthew 8. It was the opportune moment for the disciples to learn to let go and let God. As I said earlier every wind and every wave that seek to devour you will obey the command of our Lord.
When the disciples went to Jesus they realized that they couldn’t make it on their own. What happened was that Jesus spoke to the storm and the storm subsided. Imagine the great lesson they learnt about trusting Him. Sometimes we need a storm for Christ to prove Himself worthy. This is exactly what the disciples experienced on this occasion.
They might have lacked the experience of a situation that would demand their trust but this was the perfect opportunity for them to witness God’s goodness.
Maybe your storm doesn’t seem to make sense. You might be asking 1000 reasons why. But this same storm will prove God most worthy. How can you learn to trust God when you have not had a situation to trust Him? If the disciples could have calmed the storm they probably would. Maybe they would have said to one another “He is sleeping, let us not wake Him.” But they couldn’t do it on their own and it was a matter of life and death. They had to summon Jesus if ever they were to be saved.
Summon Jesus. Christ is waiting on your call to answer you. His ears are not hardened to hear you neither are His hands short to reach you. He will answer you if ever you call.
5. Storms Teach Us Patience
From first hand knowledge I can tell you that If I had control over storms I would prevent them. This is because of how frightening a storm can be. A storm can be a very uncomfortable place where you might fear for even life.
As we touch on the spiritual lessons we can learn from storms patience is on top of the list. Storms teach us how to wait upon the Lord. For sure as the Bible says “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.“
We have to maintain our composure and trust that we will make it to the after storm. As you pass through life’s storms Isn’t it the same? I believe most people would stop and erase their storms if they could, but they just have to wait in patience and trust the process.
For me, there have been times when I wished I could change what was happening to me. I have been through some times so painful and crippling that I just wanted to escape. If I could I would. But a storm will humble us to our knees.
As you face your own storm you might not be able to change the situation, but you can always change the way you look at it. You can look at storms from a new perspective. A perspective of faith, knowing that the God of the calm is also the God of the storm.
A storm might break you so badly but remember that they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. May you find the courage to wait on the Lord. Wait on the Lord!
Concluding Thoughts
We have learnt that there are numerous spiritual lessons we can learn from storms. These lessons can prepare us for the roads ahead. They will make us into a more wholesome and valuable individual. Our job, as always, is to walk by faith and not by sight. As you face your storm remember that even though Jesus may be quiet, He is right there with you waiting on you to awake Him.
The God of the calm is the God of the storm. As you summon Jesus Christ He will speak to the storm and cause it to subside. Call on Him and surely He will come to rescue you. Be Blessed!
