Summer Storms and God’s Sovereignty

This summer there have been a lot of storms and tornadoes. My friends who know me well know that I really don’t like storms. In fact, I could honestly say I’m terrified of them. The fact that I’m easily startled doesn’t help. Besides, lightning and thunder are scary enough when they make you jump, and much more when you’re scared of what lightning or tornadoes can do.

As I was lying in bed during the storm last week, I’d jump every time a huge bolt of lightning cracked across the sky. It was so bright it lit up my entire room, even though my blinds and my eyes were shut. I’d whimper, and ask God to protect us.

Recently, I’ve been forced to come face to face with some of my fears, and last week was definitely one of those situations. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t block the storm out. I started praying, asking God to help me face and overcome my fear, and to somehow see His love and goodness in the storm. I quieted myself and waited for God to speak to me. He did.

“Do you trust me, no matter what I allow in your life? Do you believe that I only allow things that are for your ultimate good?”

“Yes Lord, I believe that.”

“And do you believe that I am in control of the lightning and the rain?”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Then why are you afraid of the storm? It is completely under My control, and nothing can happen to you unless I allow it.”

Slowly, I began to view the lightning as a symbol of God’s power and sovereignty.

Sometimes I think that if I were God, I would do things differently. But when I can come to the place of acknowledging the fact that if I were God, I would do things exactly as He does, that’s when I am truly trusting in His sovereignty and goodness. That doesn’t automatically make hard things easy, but it gives me the perspective to trust His plan for my life and for the lives of my loved ones.

(Special thanks to Liz for the photos of tornado damage.)