When the Storm Won’t Stop: Holding Onto God in the Middle of Life’s Battles
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The air is thick, heavy with the scent of rain and the electric tension that always comes before the thunder. Dark clouds roll in, swallowing the horizon. Waves crash against you — one after another — each one louder, harder, colder than the last.
You are exhausted. Not just in your body, but in your soul. You’ve been holding on so long that your fingers ache from the grip. And still, the storm shows no sign of stopping.
Life’s storms are like that. They don’t always announce themselves with warning. Sometimes they sweep in with the violence of a sudden phone call, a slammed door, a diagnosis, or an empty chair at the dinner table. Other times, they creep in slowly, like water seeping under the door, until you look around and realize you’re standing knee-deep in grief, anxiety, or fear.
The worst storms aren’t just about what’s happening around you — they’re about what’s happening inside you. Because when the wind howls and the waves rise high, doubts start whispering: Where is God? Has He forgotten me? Why hasn’t He stopped this yet?
And yet… in the middle of the chaos, there is a truth stronger than the wind and steadier than the waves: He is still with you.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.” — Isaiah 43:2
1. Remember Who’s in the Boat
The disciples knew storms. They were fishermen by trade. But one night, the waves became too much for even their seasoned hands to manage. The water crashed over the boat’s sides, soaking their clothes, filling their shoes, stealing their breath. Panic took over.
In desperation, they turned to Jesus — only to find Him sleeping. They shook Him awake, voices cracking with fear: “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
And with one sentence, one command, Jesus silenced the sea: “Peace. Be still.”
Your storm may look different — it might be illness, heartbreak, financial struggle, or loneliness — but the truth remains the same: the One who commands the wind and the waves is still in your boat. He hasn’t abandoned you. He’s not pacing the shoreline wondering if you’ll make it. He is right there, steady and calm, even when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.
2. Anchor Yourself in His Word
Storms have a way of making your emotions your loudest guide. Fear will scream: Run! Doubt will whisper: Give up. Hopelessness will murmur: Nothing will ever change.
But God’s Word is the anchor that keeps you from drifting into despair. When you’re tossed by circumstances, it’s His promises that hold you steady. His Word tells you that He is your refuge, your fortress, your deliverer (Psalm 18:2). It tells you that even if the whole world shakes, His love for you cannot be moved (Isaiah 54:10).
Think of a ship anchored in the middle of a raging sea. The waves may push against it, but the anchor keeps it from being swept away. That’s what Scripture does for your soul — it holds you when the current of life tries to drag you under.
3. Trust the God Who Sees Beyond the Storm
From where you’re standing, all you see is rain, lightning, and endless waves. But God sees further. He sees the rainbow that will paint the sky after the clouds break. He sees the testimony you’ll carry when you walk out of this storm. He sees the way your faith will be stronger, deeper, and unshakable because you didn’t give up.
Every storm has an expiration date. And while you may not know the moment when the skies will clear, you can be sure that God does. His timing is perfect, even when it feels unbearably slow.
Closing Encouragement
You may not be able to calm the storm — but you can choose to rest in the arms of the One who can. You can face the wind and say, “I trust You, Lord, even here.”And one day, you’ll look back at this storm and see not just the fear and the waves — but the God who never let you sink.
Prayer: Lord, this storm feels too big for me, but I know nothing is too big for You. Hold me steady when the winds howl and the waves rise high. Anchor me in Your truth when fear and doubt close in. And teach me to trust Your timing until the waves grow still. Amen.
With love and light, Kristine Hawkins
Kristelle Liora
