How to Appreciate Thunderstorms (part two)

[Continued from last post]

More lightning. The thunder comes quicker, louder.

Some of the clouds are starting to mix in funny ways. (Read: I’m having a mini-panic attack because Michigan isn’t immune to tornados.)

Raindrops dot the windows, and I can’t decide if it’s actually going to let loose or blow right over.

Nope, it’s coming. Rain now blurs the glass.

Ten minutes later, it’s is still coming down, heavy and thick across the acreage. Lightning and thunder are now sensed simultaneously. This storm is happening, whether I like it or not.

Waiting It Out

The last post talked about the fact that you can’t always see the storms in life coming. Today, let’s talk about the fact that sometimes you can see them, but there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Sometimes, you just have to resign yourself to storm: It’s happening, so hunker down. Sure, you can prepare and make sure you have everything you need, but there’s no escaping it. Just gotta get through it.

It’s times like these that I finally understand (well, as much as I can) why God has given us His Holy Spirit. Because in the middle of the storm, I’m not thinking about truth, or what Scripture I read that morning. And I have no idea how to pray except for one measly word: Help!

Enter Holy Spirit, stage right!

The Spirit turns that little one-word plea into a huge speech before the Lord. I can’t understand it—literally. Romans 8:26 says He doesn’t even use words, and I have no idea how this works. But then again, He is God and I’m not, so I don’t have to know how it works. I just know it does.

And He reminds me of the truth of Scripture, when my wind-battered mind can’t remember any of those verses I learned in AWANA. John 14 says that the Spirit will teach truth; Jesus even calls Him “the spirit of Truth.”

Jesus says, “Hang In There”

God’s Word promises storms—not in a twisted sort of way, but in compassion. But it also promises hope, and peace. In John 16:33, Jesus says, “…In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”

So in the middle of the storm, with the wind raging, the rain drenching, and the lightning and thunder disorienting, hunker down and rely on the Holy Spirit to give you what you need. He’ll be there, and you’ll be alright.

Peace will be here soon enough.