How To Overcome Storms of Life

In this post we will be looking at ways to overcome storms of life, some bible verses about storms of life. Each and everyone of us at some in our life time had been faced with some form of storms or challenges. Some storms will come into our lives and break us; it will make us feel depressed. The decisions you make will determine the outcome of the storm or trial.

As believers in Christ, we can't let these storms overtake us, or weigh us down, because we have the power God gave us to face such situations. As recorded in 2 Timothy 1:7 - "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline."

Let's start by looking at a simple case of a pilot faced with an approaching storm. When storms appear in their flight path, in some cases, the pilot reroutes the plane to somewhere else where possible. But if the pilot must maintain his space without an option to divert the plane, then the pilot will have to go through the storm.

The above example also applies to us at some point in our life where storms appear in our path, and we have to decide on the next course of action to take. The pilot will have to reroute or go through the storm, which means there are two things that we as humans can do when we are faced with storms in our life if we go by this analogy. We desire to live a life of comfort where everything is perfect, but I do not know anyone who lived a life without trials or storms.

Those who faced storms in life in the Bible:

There are several characters in the bible who faced some form of storm in their life but we will list out just three main characters that did face storms in their life.

1. Isaac sowed during famine:

There was a great famine in the land of Gerar, which the Lord promised his servant Abraham as an inheritance. While everyone was running away from Gerar, God told Isaac to stay and sow into that same land that was barren. Isaac obeyed God and stayed and sowed in that same land, and in the end, He reaped a hundredfold that same year and became wealthy - Genesis 26:1,2,12.

2. Elimelech moved to Moab to escape famine:

Elimelech and his family also faced a storm (famine). When famine came in the land of Israel in the time of Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, Elimelech rerouted his family by leaving the city and taking his wife and two sons to Moab. This move was temporary, as he had planned to return when the famine was over.

When faced with storms in life, the first thing that comes into our minds is avoiding the storm. The question then is, when we try to run away from these storms rather than face them, is that a good move or not. Do we know what lies ahead when we decide to reroute our life to avoid storms? In the case of Elimelech, we know that he died and his two sons also died, but we do not know if this was as a result of the decision he made - Ruth 1:1-5.

3. Jesus Calms the Storm:

Jesus and His disciples were faced with a storm while crossing the sea of Galilee. Rather than rerouting the boat to escape the storm, Jesus stood up, and at His command, the storm stopped. God has given us this same power that Jesus had to calm every storm in our life. So when faced with trials in life, be bold, speak to that situation, and command it to cease, and it shall be so.

How to overcome storms of life:

For us to be able to face the storms of life and stop it, there are things we must do.

1. Identify the storm

Before pilots decide on what to do when the storm comes, they must identify one when they see it. The same thing applies to us in life when the storm comes, and we can't recognize it, then we struggle to overcome it. Storms can come from different areas of our lives. Getting the job of your choice can come like a storm; waiting on a business deal can come like a storm; anxiety over the outcome of your exam result can also come like a storm. There are also challenges in marriages that can also come as storms.

Unable to have a child can also be a storm. The story of Hannah, as well as Sarah, are two good examples. Hannah was unable to bear a child, which is like a storm in her life. Infertility is one of many challenges in marriages. Also, having too many children without appropriate financial backing can be a storm in a marriage. Yes, Children are a blessing from God, but God also gave us the wisdom to make the right choices.

2. Call on Jesus

Joel 2:32 reads, "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." The disciples of Jesus, when faced with a ferocious storm, tried to maneuver the boat but failed. They had no other choice but to call on Jesus. Jesus stood up and rebuked the wind, and the storm obeyed.

When we do not involve Christ in our daily lives, we struggle to overcome the challenges we face in life. The name of Jesus alone is enough to calm every storm we face. We can do many great things when we call on the name Jesus given to us, only if we believe in Him - Philippians 2:9-12.

3. Have courage in the Lord

There is one thing that fear does: it makes one look powerless even when you have the power of God in you. Fear leads to failure. God told Joshua never to be afraid but face the storms that may come while he leads the Israelites to the promised land - Joshua 1:9. If Joshua had not taken courage in God, he would have failed along the way and probably given up.

4. Ask for wisdom

Wisdom is essential in this life – if we are to overcome every storm we face. We must have in us the wisdom of God. Solomon knew the importance of this when he became king of Israel. When God asked him what he wanted – Solomon asked for wisdom when others could have asked for wealth and riches. God gave him wisdom and understanding of things.

Bible Verses About Storms of Life

1. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. - Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)

2. Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. - Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

3. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain. - Hebrews 6:19 (ESV)

4. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me. - 2 Timothy 4:17a (ESV)

5. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. - Isaiah 12:2 (ESV)

6. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. - Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

7. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23:2-4 (ESV)

8. Deliver me from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies and from the deep waters. Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit closes its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies! - Psalm 69:14-18 (ESV)

9. I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth,a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. - Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV)

10. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. - Isaiah 58:11 (ESV)

11. Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. - Hosea 6:3 (NIV)

12. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. - Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

13. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. - Romans 15:13 (ESV)

14. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

15. God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! - Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV)

16. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)

17. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty! - Psalm 93:4 (ESV)

18. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

19. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. - Psalm 32:7 (NLT)

20. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. - Habakkuk 3:19 (ESV)

We hope you have been blessed by this topic on how to overcome storms of life as well as some bible verses about storms of life.