Is there more to getting through the storms of life than just surviving? Lots of people survive life’s storms. But what does life look like after the raging storm? And why would God allow us to go through it? The storms that suddenly and unexpectedly descend on us, bringing devastation and upheaval, are painful but they are also the source of new life we’d never see otherwise. Finding new life after the storm helps us flourish again.
This time last week, I woke to the aftermath of Hurricane Hermine. The storm – stalled for days in the warm Gulf waters – had finally made landfall just after midnight. Most of Hermine’s wind and rain passed over us through the night as we slept.
We lost power sometime in the dark small hours of morning, causing the smoke alarm to give a half-hearted warning periodically, but all our electricity was back on by the time the last of the kids got up on what would be a no-school day.
The hurricane didn’t do any damage, thankfully, although it left a swath of yard debris. Our front lawn was littered with heavy limbs, green leaves and twigs, and hundreds of rangy branches draped with Spanish moss.
Friends west of us did not fare as well. The storm came in right at Florida’s elbow – the crook where Florida’s panhandle and peninsula meet.
In the panhandle city where we lived for 11 years, more than 100,000 homes were left without power. The storm uprooted huge oaks and toppled tall pines, making a tangle of downed electrical lines and blocked roads.
I’ve watched as friends have posted statuses all week: “Finally have power! Friends please come for a hot meal and hot shower” and “Day 6: still no power.”
Friends also posted lots of these pictures:
A new start. Cleaned out. New life.
It’s been 10 years since Florida has had a direct hit from a hurricane. Storms can certainly bring their share of damage, leaving a trail of brokenness, damage and debris. But there’s also this paradox —
Storms are a catalyst for new growth and new life. There are lessons we can only learn in a storm.
New Life After Nature’s Storms
Look at what science tells us comes from storms:
- Lightening is crucial to plant growth because it dissolves nitrogen into a form plants are able to absorb.
- Hurricanes stir up nutrients that have settled deep in the ocean helping marine life to thrive all the way up the food chain.
- Tropical cyclones re-balance our global climate so that the tropics don’t become too hot and the polar regions too cold.
- Fires open a forest up to needed sunlight and create nutrient-rich soil to produce trees much stronger and healthier than trees not touched by fire. The soil becomes so fertile that new growth is sometimes seen just days after a raging fire.
- Volcanoes shower ash over vast areas, enriching soil for new plant growth and farmland.
- Even earthquakes can uncover mineral deposits vital to the health of people and animals.
Flourishing new life. Rich and fertile soil. Abundant and thriving growth.
In my own devastating storm of loss, I wondered whether life would forever be marked by the destruction. As I processed grief and the titanic shifts of change it brought, I realized God could use this storm to do deep heart work.
Because the new growth that’s true in the physical realm is also true in the spiritual realm.
What Springs from Life’s Storms
Storms of suffering batter us with full force, uprooting what we thought would always be there, toppling life as we know it and leaving behind a trail of destruction and debris.
And yet, like nature’s storms, storms of suffering are a catalyst for new life.
Storms can clean out the dead wood of our soul better than a thousand sunny days. When what we thought mattered so much is cleared away as so much worthless debris, there’s room for fresh light.
Life’s storms can do their damage. And if we could, we’d choose to dodge every storm. But if we cling to God, even the most devastating storms can till the hard soil of our heart making it a fertile place for abundant growth. New life that never would have come in the sunny ordinary.
Not new life despite the storm but new life because of the storm.
The hard work is not just in navigating through a storm; it also comes after the storm. Debris has to be cleared out and rebuilding has to begin.
And it will look different. New life always does. But different can still be beautiful.
We have this hope from our good God: new life can spring from the soil of suffering. And when it does, it will be strong, vibrant and abundant.
I loved this. :-}
I saw a documentary once about what happens when the 17 year locusts come out of the ground and fill the woods with noise and creepy crawling things for 24 hours. Lots of rich food for the woodland creatures and when the hoard dies, leaving a thick carpet of dead bugs, the forest floor is enriched and fertilized.
How often our blessings often disguised as trouble.
Meema…these do not just come out in the forests either….I lived in Arlington, VA when this 17 year phenomena occurred and WOW! I could barely get in the door without 15-25 of them came in with me and then had to get them out. There were hundreds of them on the screen door so there was no way to avoid this. Then how many more in the trees above? But as you say, it happens and then they are gone. Interesting.
Many things that we take as terrible do turn to a blessing some how, some way.
This I can say we’ve never had in Florida! Something you don’t soon forget, Linda!
That’s fascinating. What the enemy means to destroy God can use for His good.
I needed your encouraging words. I am going through such a difficult and disappointing time with my sisters. What do I do? Ignore them; call and chat as if nothing is wrong. I am baffled.
Thank you for your beautifully written words.
Paulette, I’m praying God will give you His wisdom as you cry out to him in this!
What a,wonderful God we serve. He is awesome even in the storms
He is, Kristy.
I’m in the darkest storm of my life. I was diagnosed with cancer that could very well take my life. I’ve lost everything due to my financial situation and medical bills. I’ve just competed 5 weeks of chemo/radiation. I’m preparing for surgery in 3 weeks. Then 6 more months of chemo. I’ve had cancer before and survived. I’ve almost lost my life during a previous illness. In each storm God took care of me. It’s true each storm has given me more insight and appreciation for Christ. Each storm has renewed me and brought me closer to Christ. In my darkest moments Jesus calms me. I pray for all those who face storms in life. Goodness is the aftermath of every storm.
You’re strength, courage and faith is so inspiring!! I pray that God will cause your Trestment to go smoothly, that your finances will be covered and that you’ll be deeply blessed with healing, continued strength, peace and happiness! You’re attitude is again, so inspiring and I’m sure has a lot to do with you’re being such a survivor!!! God bless you in this dark time, but know what a bright light you are to others!! Gods peace and healing be with you always!!
Blessings!
Lisa
Yes and amen.
What a testimony, Peter. I’m praying for you now for your health and for deep joy and peace in this storm.
Thank you. I loved this post and found it very inspiring.
Thank you Maria. 🙂
Beautiful. Love that God is using your special gift to share His glory, Lisa. So blessed to read your blog and sit in your class on Sundays. You open up God’s Word for me, and I am so very grateful. Love you.
It is my honor, Lisa. Teaching ministers to me incredibly. And I love having you in there!
Wow! Fantastic perspective, thanks! We enjoyed most of our “storm days” here together and witnessed the Hand of God in so many people. When the power was restored here (5 days later), my youngest looked at me and said, “Mama, I know it has been hot without power but I am so sad it’s back on.” When I inquired as to the why, she replied, “Because the whole family was together and we played games together.” =)
I’m going through a storm in my marriage right now. 10 years of marriage in a traditional Chinese family….so much hurt and rejections and disappointments and it lead me to make my ultimate mistake in my life early this year.
My emotions have been on a roller coaster and I’m so scared of what holds for me in the next few weeks, months and years. My 2 young children is all I think about. The love that has once flourished….just died over the years.
I spend many days crying out to Him. Asking Him to show me a way out with my children. He shows me things…but at the same time He makes me wait…to teach me patience and to have faith in Him. Something I didn’t bothered to cultivate before this.
I thank you for this post. You have made my day better and gave me hope again.