Morning Devotional 052225 God Calms the Storms Raging Around and Within Us

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  May 22, 2025

Matthew 8:23-27

23 When Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. 24 A huge storm arose on the lake so that waves were sloshing over the boat. But Jesus was asleep. 25 They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, rescue us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you people of weak faith?” Then he got up and gave orders to the winds and the lake, and there was a great calm. 27 The people were amazed and said, “What kind of person is this? Even the winds and the lake obey him!”

Good Morning! Rejoice! God is Good!

I have experienced two kinds of storms in my life. Those that you see coming from far away, and those that pop up suddenly or unexpectedly. Meteorologically, we track and follow hurricanes for days and even weeks. We study the projected path and make plans to evacuate or assemble our supplies and resources to ride out the storm. 

On the flip side of hurricanes are tornadoes. Meteorologists have better tools than in the past, but tornadoes still happen suddenly. The cyclone hovers and touches down without a pattern. One house can be spared among the rubble of the neighborhood. 

Our personal storms are like this as well. Sometimes we see trouble or challenges brewing for days, weeks, months, or even years. Certain illnesses take years to mature and take control of our lives. Contrast these with life-altering accidents that change our lives in an instant. 

Despite how they come, quickly or over time, our challenges overwhelm us and sometimes cause crippling despair. When you consider losing a loved one, it is no easier when it happens quickly or slowly. We certainly don’t want to see anyone suffer, but the bottom line is, they are still gone. 

The good news that sustains us is knowing that God is always there, ready to calm the winds of the storms that threaten to drown us. No matter how deep the depths to which we fall, God will pull us back to safety. All we must do is surrender ourselves to God’s will and believe that God will see us through. 

The thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes will continue to form, but our God is our forever lifeline. Even the winds and the lakes obey God.

Loving Lord, Maker of all things! Even when we think we’ve got a handle on things, we encounter waves that rock our boats. Thank you for calming the winds when they get out of control. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: God handles all our challenges regardless of how they form.

When the storms of life are raging, God stands with us! Pastor Liz