We get a lot of thunderstorms here in Middle Tennessee, especially in the summer. As a child the booming thunder and flashes of lightning terrified me.
Now, as an adult, I find those same storms surprisingly soothing. After a long, hot and humid summer day, the storms often roll in with brisk winds and refreshing rain that cools the air. I especially love to hear the thunder rumble at night. There’s something comforting about crawling into a warm, soft bed and drifting off to sleep while the storm growls in the distance.
Of course, I enjoy the storm only because I’m tucked away in the safety of my home – far from lightning strikes and sheltered from wind and rain. If I were outside in the middle of it, I’d be terrified. I’d worry about being struck by lightning, struggle against the force of the wind, and be stunned and soaked by the sharp, cold raindrops pelting down.
Anchored in Christ amid the storms of life
Unfortunately, we live in a world where storms seem to rage on every side. Sickness, premature death, violence, political turmoil, disease, wars, growing evil, and natural disasters like floods and earthquakes—these are only a few of the troubles that shake our sense of security. In a world like this, where can anyone find real peace?
We find it only in the presence of the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 NIV). Just like our home shelters us from a roaring thunderstorm, God shelters those who trust in him from the storms of life.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NIV
For those who place their hope in Jesus, He brings a deep and steady peace—no matter what circumstances swirl around you.
This doesn’t mean Christians are indifferent to the brokenness of our world. Every believer I know carries real concern for the fate of this world. They long for their children, and their grandchildren to have a safe world in which to live. We pray for wars to cease, for evil to be restrained, and for healing to reach the sick and suffering.
When stress overwhelms, Christ sustains
However, none of us walk through life untouched by anxiety or stress. Every day brings something that rattles our emotions—a child falls ill, your phone goes missing, a news story shakes you. Or everything seems to break at once: the plumbing, the car, and even your back. On days like that, stress is unavoidable. Yet somehow, for the Christian, peace eventually returns to the heart of the believer.
Because when Jesus lives within you, peace is one of the beautiful fringe benefits. Scripture tells us this peace is beyond our ability to understand. Philippians describes it as “A peace that transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7 NIV)—a calm that settles over you even when everything around you feels like it’s falling apart.
When anxiety reigned and Christ was far away.
On the contrary, I know what it is like to not have the peace of Christ. Years ago, when I was younger and away from God, I remember the unsettling fear and anxiety that was constantly filling my spirit.
Today I wonder, where does one go when you are troubled, and you can’t go to God? We were never created to handle the problems of this world on our own. What a difference having the Lord close makes!
Are you feeling anxious or worried? Take a moment to breathe his name. Allow his peace to fill your soul. If you don’t know this Prince of Peace, get to know him by reading his word and inviting him into your life.
He never turns away anyone who truly seeks Him. When He comes, He brings His peace with him. And for this, I am very thankful!
For in the day of trouble he will keep me saft in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” – Psalm 27:5 NIV
