In the Centre of the Storm

RELATED SCRIPTURES:

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Psalm 107:23-32

In the Centre of the Storm

On 30 October 1991, a dying hurricane off the east coast of the US converged with two other storm systems, resulting in The Perfect Storm, one of the most powerful storms in recorded history.

It made landfall suddenly, with no one anticipating the hurricane-strength devastation it would bring.

A small fishing boat, Andrea Gail, found itself in the centre of the storm. With winds of nearly 120mph, this small vessel had no chance, and tragically, all six crew members aboard were lost to the sea.

Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines a perfect storm as a 'critical or disastrous situation created by a powerful concurrence of factors.'

There are times in our lives when we, too, find ourselves engulfed by a perfect storm.

Events that are out of our control suddenly and unexpectedly unfold, threatening our faith, our faithfulness, and sometimes even our lives themselves.

The Apostle Paul describes such a time in his life when the pressure he was under was far beyond his ability to endure:

We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. 2 Corinthians 1:8b-9a

The troubles Paul suffered in Asia were so severe that they drove him to despair and nearly cost him his life. While Paul doesn't detail the events explicitly, they likely involved intense persecution and/or physical illness.

Why Do Storms Come into Our Lives?

Why does God allow His children to go through times of suffering and despair?

We know that the trials that come into our lives are always allowed and weighed by God.

Job was a blameless and upright man, yet God allowed Satan to attack him.

Satan's attack was sudden, unexpected, relentless, and devastating. In a short time, Job lost his wealth, his children, his health, and his reputation

Even his friends, who came to comfort him in his distress, eventually accused him of wrongdoing. But God placed a limit on Satan's attack, and Job's life was spared.

Job's three friends had taken the position that the severity of Job's suffering must be the sign of some grievous sin in his life. God is punishing Job. But Job silences these three by showing that there is no correlation in this world between righteousness and prosperity or between wickedness and suffering. The righteous often suffer more than the wicked and the wicked often prosper more than the righteous. - John Piper

Why did God allow Job to suffer?

Job's faithfulness was tested amid severe adversity, but as a result, his understanding of God deepened.

God spoke to Job out of a storm, revealing His power, glory, majesty, and sovereign control over His creation.

Job couldn't question God's justice: 'Everything under heaven belongs to Me.' Job 41:11.

Job believed himself faithful, but his encounter with God led to humble repentance:

Surely, I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. Job 42:3

Later, God restored Job's prosperity, doubled his possessions, and blessed him with a long life.

When Storms Come...

Sometimes, the storms in our lives are a direct consequence of sin or God's discipline for unrepentant sin. Sin can have physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences, and David described his suffering under the heavy hand of God.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night, Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.' And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:3-5

Suffering remains until we confess our sins and turn to God in repentance. Only then we experience the peace and restoration that come from forgiveness:

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

Whenever suffering overwhelms our lives, we have a choice in how we respond.

Both Job and Paul worshipped God in their suffering:

Job arose, tore his robe... and worshipped. In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. Job 1:20, 22

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Whenever suffering overwhelms our lives, we must not lose heart because God works in us through suffering.

God Works Through Suffering

Suffering refines our character

Suffering can lead us either to despair or to develop endurance. Despair leads to hopelessness, but rejoicing in our suffering produces hope.

I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering. Isaiah 48:10

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4

Suffering teaches us to depend on God

This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God... He will deliver us again.

Suffering unites us with others in

prayer

Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:11b

Our suffering can comfort others

The God of all comfort... comforts us so we can comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Suffering can change the course of our lives

Suffering can change the course of our lives, opening doors or leading us to places we never would have reached otherwise.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired heaven. Psalm 107:28-30

The Perfect Peace

God has never promised a life without storms. But He has promised to be there when we face them. You may be facing the perfect storm, but Jesus offers the perfect peace. - Max Lucado

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33