There’s something about storms that just hits different when you’re a parent. Before kids, they were just an inconvenience—maybe even exciting. But now? They come with a whole new level of responsibility. It’s no longer just about keeping yourself safe; it’s about protecting the little ones who look up at you with wide, trusting eyes, expecting you to shield them from the chaos outside.
My wife, growing up in western New York, never had much fear of storms. Up there, thunderstorms were more of a background soundtrack—gentle rumbles and some rain, but nothing too aggressive. Snow? Oh, they had plenty of that. But tornadoes? Hardly any. Then we got married and moved to Ohio for a few years, and let’s just say Ohio storms do not play around. If you know, you know.
One night, I was out of town when a tornado warning was issued. My wife, alone with our two dogs, had never dealt with anything like this before. She did the only thing she could think of—hid in the closet under the stairs with the dogs, probably questioning every life choice that had led her to that moment. Ever since then, storms haven’t been her favorite. And now, as a mom, that protective instinct kicks in even more when the sky darkens.
We’re in storm season again, and we’ve all seen the headlines—tornadoes popping up all over the country, destruction left in their wake. And tonight, we’re under a high risk of severe weather. The meteorologists are doing their jobs, sending out warnings, letting us know what to expect, and how to prepare. And that got me thinking—God does the same thing for us in our spiritual lives. He warns us. He prepares us. He doesn’t just let the storms hit without first giving us the tools to stand firm.
Matthew 7:24-27 lays it out perfectly:
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27 ESV)
Jesus tells us storms will come. It’s not an “if” but a “when.” Life is going to throw chaos at us—loss, heartbreak, unexpected changes, fear. But He also gives us a warning and a plan: Build your life on the rock. Stay grounded in His Word. Prepare before the storm hits so that when it does, you won’t crumble.
Just like a meteorologist tells us to have an emergency plan, God tells us to be rooted in Him. We wouldn’t wait until the sirens are blaring to start looking for a safe place—we prepare in advance. Spiritually, that means diving into scripture, praying regularly, and strengthening our faith, so that when the winds pick up, we don’t panic—we stand firm.
Tonight, while the storms roll in, I know my wife will have that watchful eye, ready to gather our kids and keep them safe. And it’s a reminder to me that, just as she protects them, God watches over us in our storms. He’s our shelter, our safe place. We just have to trust Him, listen to His warnings, and build on the solid foundation He’s given us.
So as we brace for the weather tonight, let’s also brace ourselves spiritually. Storms may come, but we don’t have to face them alone. We have a God who is bigger than the winds, stronger than the lightning, and more powerful than any force of nature. And that? That’s the best kind of forecast.
