There are things that you do when a hurricane is coming. You secure all of the yard missiles. You fill your gas tanks. You make sure you have flashlights, medical supplies, chargers. You join the mad rush and buy bottled water. Then, you check the forecast, then check it again, and then check it again. It’s as though we feel like looking one more time will somehow change where the storm is headed. As I type this, Hurricane Isaias (ee-sah-EE-ahs) is within hours of making what looks like a direct hit on the area where we live. Many people I know have been doing those very things today. I did get out a little earlier. I bought some chicken salad, which isn’t your typical hurricane preparation, but I was just getting lunch. The parking lots at Publix and Lowe’s were packed. People were driving crazy and cutting each other off. For many there is just a level of anxiety and tension in the air. So, what do you do when you are “waiting on the storm”?
Psalm 56:3
3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.
What stands out is that David said “when”, not “if”. Around here in Northwest Florida you will often hear people saying, “it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when”. We are using that phrase in context of a hurricane. The truth is a hurricane will come. With that mindset, we prepare. Newer homes are now often built with better foundations and structure. Most waterfront homes are elevated to prevent storm surge from entering the house. We prepare knowing that the storm is coming.
Storms also come in life. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. Life storms, unlike a hurricane often come unannounced. But, we can still prepare. We lay a solid foundation. We build our life with the right materials. We learn His Word. We develop the habit of prayer. We stay connected to people who will help us remember what is true when fear makes it difficult to think clearly. We do everything we can to prepare for the inevitable day that the storm comes in.
I appreciate that David also said “When I am afraid”. Strong faith doesn’t have to be devoid of honest emotions. The Bible is full of passages on fear. Multiple times the Bible says, “Do not fear”. With all of those mentions of not fearing, and with all of the Biblical reminders of God being our help, our presence, and our refuge, we still find ourselves at times like David.
To be clear, we each express and handle fear in different ways. For some, it’s easy to see. For others, including me at times, it’s something we bury and carry on. We may not call it fear, but it’s still there beneath the surface. I appreciate that David names it. He acknowledges his fear and turns to God. We can do the same. Admitting that we are afraid doesn’t mean we lack faith. We can honestly acknowledge our fear and still say, “I will put my trust in You.”
Today, as we prepare for this storm, there might be some fear. We don’t know exactly what the next several hours will bring. But even while we are waiting for the storm, we can choose to put our trust in God. We can remember His faithfulness in the storms we’ve already faced. We can ask Him for protection. And we can trust that whatever comes, He will be with us.
Father, I close this blog today with a prayer for those in the path of this storm. We pray for protection of life. Protect those that have to work in the storm, the first responders, the doctors and nurses in the hospitals. God, we also pray for our properties. Protect our homes and our churches. But, no matter what, we trust You. I also pray today for the one who might be in the middle of another type of storm. Likely it is one they didn’t see coming, but they find themselves now in the middle of it. Today, right now, as they are reading this prayer, infiltrate their heart and mind. Let them hear from You that You are with them. The storm waters might be rising all around them, but You are with them. God, comfort them with your peace. For all of us I pray that you help us in our preparations. Help us all to do the things we can do now before a life storm arrives. Father, we echo those words from David: “When we are afraid, we put our trust in You”. Amen