So often we do everything in our power to avoid the storm. Then we turn to God and pray, plead, even beg Him to remove the storm. Storms are scary and often painful. Our cry is “no storms!” We seek a calm sunny day to sit outside and enjoy.

But! There is one little word in this scripture we can’t ignore… “WHEN” the storm comes.

Storms are inevitable in life. They cannot be avoided. We waste our energy and time when we work so hard to avoid the storm. It says “when”, not “if”. The storm IS coming, again and again. The goal then, the deep truth that Jesus speaks of here is not avoidance, but preparation. Be ready!

But it goes even one layer deeper. Look at this story. The stormy weather, the flood, is actually a tool of God for good! The storm tests the building, exposing its internal architecture. The storm reveals the hidden truth of the foundation. The visible portion of a house can be beautiful, perfect, elaborate… But the whole thing can be a death trap. This is revealed by the storms that come.

Are we calm in the storm? Do we stand steadfast in Jesus promises, with a faithful and willing heart? Are we at peace as the wind and rain rages against our dreams and hopes? Are we still as all that is not of God washes away outside?

Embrace the storm! It is for good, not evil. When you are safely in the hands of Jesus, what can come of a storm but purification, glory? This is how God shows Himself to those around us… through storms. our strength, peace, thankfulness in a life storm is perhaps the greatest witnessing tool possible to a lost, fearful world.

Instead of praying away a storm, embrace it! Know our prayer for God to use us is being answered! Pray for peace, calm, strength. Pray that all of the world washes away from our own heart. Pray that others see Jesus in our words and deeds of the storm. Can we even pray for MORE storm?!?

Storms, floods, these are not bad, but good. So long as we are safe in a house built on Jesus and Him alone. What is there to fear? Rejoice in the storm! It is the answer to your prayer.