Calm the Storm

“𝑰’𝒎 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎.” 

I mentioned in my instagram stories the other day that the word “storm” has been popping up in my head over and over again lately. It hasn’t stopped, despite the quick break in weather (Boston has had some brutal rainstorms lately, complete with all the thunder and lightnings). I’ve learned that when something keeps repeating itself, it’s usually worth paying attention to, and this story has been coming to mind along with the word. 

Almost a year ago, Sam was in the hospital again for another long, highly stressful and chaotic stretch.

Once again, doctors had no clue what was going on.

Once again, there were 100 possibilities of what was wrong, but no solid answers.

Once again, Sam and I had to make critical decisions with minimal information.

Once again, it was hell on all sides.

I remember driving home from the hospital late one night, completely drained and overwhelmed by what we were going through, and what we still had to face. My mind was partly praying, partly wandering, and partly just off. Despite my brain’s limitations, the Holy Spirit still showed up and I heard the words: 

“𝑰’𝒎 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎.”

Storms are a lot like ocean waves. We can try all we want to predict them, but human knowledge can only take us so far. Ultimately, they do what they want. They go where they please. They change course when they feel like, even if we’ve already warned the masses of their plan. And nothing, absolutely nothing, we do can stop them. All we CAN do is control our response and actions to them. And that’s when we need to listen to the still small voice that tells us how to navigate each one. 

Sometimes we have to wait them out. 

Sometimes we need to dance in them. 

But sometimes, sometimes we need to be the ones to calm them.

The same person – the same power – that spoke to the winds and the waves and caused them to cease, is the very same power that lives and operates in us, if we let Him. We have the power to not just survive the storm, but to speak the elements and command, “Peace! Be still.” 

We have the power of Christ in us. We may not be able to stop the physical winds and waves and lightning from striking, but we have the power to calm the raging storms inside of us. 

And that right there may end up being the greatest victory of all.