Significance in a Storm

During this time of year, there is an increase in storms in the US, particularly in the South and Midwest. Here in the south, June 1 – November 30 is considered storm season with late August – early November being the most dangerous, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). September is historically the month with the highest intensity of storms in the south. In the Midwest, Illinois recorded 210 tornadoes so far for 2026, while Indiana has set a state record of 81 tornadoes this year (www.weather.com).

A storm can be defined as a disturbance of a settled or peaceful condition (https://merriam-webster.com). A storm is formed from heat and moisture powered by rising air currents and dies when it runs out of warm air. Types of storms include thunderstorms, tropical storms, ice storms and dust storms. Despite their differences, one thing they have in common is they all represent an unexpected shift of the normal state of the atmosphere (https://evidencenetwork.ca). Metaphorically, a storm is seen as a period of great upheaving in life. It conveys chaos and pressure, but also transformation and resilience. Most times we think of Jesus calming the storm (Matthew 8, Mark 4, Luke 8) but God can also stir up the storm.  In Jonah 1, God instructs Jonah to go to Nineveh and proclaim judgment against it because of their wickedness (Jonah 1:2, AMP). Jonah doesn’t want to do what God instructed him to do, so he gets on a ship to Tarshish and tries to run. God causes a storm to arise on the sea. The storm does not cease until Jonah is thrown overboard. He spends three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish. While in the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord and sacrificed a voice of thanksgiving (Jonah 2:9). The Lord orders the great fish to vomit Jonah out on dry land, and he goes to Nineveh to as the Lord commanded. The Lord used a literal storm on the water to cause a metaphoric storm in Jonah’s life (being thrown off the boat and swallowed by a great fish). Both storms were used to bring Jonah back in alignment with God and he was able to fulfill his assignment.

Despite his disobedience, Jonah had enough faith to know that if he cried out to the Lord that he would be delivered. When the storm refused to cease, Jonah realized he was the reason God caused the storm and allowed himself to be thrown into the sea (Jonah 1:12). While in the belly of the great fish, Jonah humbled himself, repented and gave thanksgiving to the Lord (Jonah 2:9). After Jonah’s sacrifice to God, he was able to answer the call to Ninevah the second time the Lord asked (Jonah 3:1). This story gives many lessons, but one shows the grace and mercy that God gives us. It also shows how God will allow certain circumstances in our lives to come to bring our focus back on Him. Has there ever been a time in life where God stirred up a ‘storm’ in your life to get you back in right standing with Him? Were you able to recognize what the Lord was doing, and are you stronger because of it? There are some things God instructs us to do that doesn’t seem to make sense, but if He calls us to it, He will sustain us through it. Whatever situations may arise while fulfilling God’s orders just know that the creator of the wind and the waves is with you declaring, Peace, be still (Mark 4:39).

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for who you are. You are Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Thank you, Father, that your mercies are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. Your word says in Psalm 107:29, He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Father, I ask that you cease any storm in my life. If it is your will that I go through a storm, I ask that you equip me with what is needed to get through it gracefully. I ask for discernment from the Holy Spirit to know when I am out of your will so that I may repent and get back in alignment with you. Mold and make me into who you have created me to be and all that I do be for your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.