Approximately a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida, thousands of people are still sifting through the rubble, trying to begin the process of rebuilding their lives. Even if you weren’t directly impacted by Hurricane Ian, perhaps you know someone who was, or you have been impacted by a natural disaster in the past. The process of rebuilding after a natural disaster is physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually taxing. Fortunately, we can find hope in God’s Word.
Hurricane Ian has already been acknowledged as the fifth-strongest hurricane to make landfall in the United States. At the time of this writing, the death toll was at 68, but many officials expect that number to increase going forward. In addition to the loss of lives, there have been countless injuries, as many people who suffered “minor” injuries chose to treat themselves instead of going to hospitals, which were overcrowded. Finally, the cost of repairing the homes and businesses that were impacted by the winds and rains is expected to be in the billions.
Hurricane Ian not only brought winds in excess of 150 MPH, but the storm also dropped as much as 20 inches of water on several parts of Florida. More than 2.5 million Floridians were ordered to evacuate the area, meaning that they had to return home to a home that wasn’t there anymore.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by Hurricane Ian, please know that you are in our prayers. You should also know that you can find hope in God’s Word. While the word “hurricane” doesn’t appear in Scripture, there are storm stories in the Bible. Even more importantly, we can look to Scripture to find verses that provide comfort and hope.
The process of restoring, rebuilding, and recovering from a storm is a difficult process. Perhaps you’ve lost everything in the storm, and you’re now left wondering what you’re going to do next. Maybe you live thousands of miles away from Florida, and don’t know anyone who endured the horror as Ian tore through the state. If that’s the case, you can pray these truths over the people of Florida. God’s Word provides us with great insight into what it means to bounce back after a storm, whether it’s a literal, physical storm, or a storm in our spiritual lives.
Paul’s Storm and Shipwreck
In the New Testament, we find a story where Paul found himself in a hurricane. Unfortunately for Paul, he wasn’t in a position to receive an evacuation order so he and his friends who were with him could go somewhere safe. Instead, Paul was on a ship with hundreds of other inmates who were being sent to Rome for trial. We can look at the story of Paul’s storm and learn some key principles that we can apply to our own lives.
It Didn’t Surprise God
Acts 27:13-14 (TPT)
When a gentle south breeze began to blow, they assumed they could make it, so they pulled up anchor and sailed close to Crete. But it wasn’t long before the weather abruptly worsened and a storm of hurricane force called the “Nor’easter tore across the island and blew us out to sea. The sailors weren’t able to turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it be driven by the gale winds.
This is the only time in Scripture where the word “hurricane” appears, so it seems appropriate to look to this story at a time such as this. Thanks to technology, we now have warning systems in place that let us know that a storm is coming. The media started tracking Hurricane Ian long before it hit Florida for the first of its three landfalls. Millions of evacuation orders went out, and millions of people were able to get to safety.
Paul didn’t have such a luxury. While he had told the men who were in charge of the ship that the typical sailing season was over, he had no way of knowing exactly what type of storm he was about to endure.
What does Paul’s unexpected storm have to do with a hurricane that we knew about for weeks? God knew about both before they ever entered into the mind of humanity. The Nor’easter that hit the ship that Paul was on didn’t surprise God. In fact, God used the destruction caused by the storm to spread the Gospel to a group of natives on an island. Hurricane Ian also didn’t come as a surprise to God. Instead, God knew the storm was going to happen, and He is equally as capable of using it to further His purpose for humanity.
While it’s certainly hard to deal with the devastation caused by a storm, it is important to understand that all things, even storms, work together for the benefit of the people who love God and have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). When you embrace that principle, it helps you look at the bigger picture. While the storm brought about chaos, God can use it to bring about calm.
You Are Not Alone
Acts 27:22-23 (TPT)
Now listen to me. Don’t be depressed, for no one will perish-only the ship will be lost. For God’s angel visited me last night, the angel of my God, the God I passionately serve. He came and stood in front of me.
Paul found himself in the middle of chaos during the hurricane that the ship he was on sailed into. While people were running around the ship, throwing cargo into the ocean and looking for ways to lighten the load, Paul went to the back of the boat to pray. When he prayed, God heard him and came to his side. We have the same glorious promise.
The term “God’s angel” is a term that is often used in Scripture to describe a supernatural appearance of Christ Jesus. In the Old Testament, there are several references to a preincarnate Christ appearing to God’s people. In the New Testament, the “Angel of the Lord” appeared to people after the resurrection and ascension.
While Peter (the man who authored the Book of Acts) was on the ship with Paul, and there were other believers onboard, Paul went to an isolated part of the ship to pray, and God came to Paul’s side.
If you find yourself facing the effects of Hurricane Ian, it may seem easy to let yourself slip into the chaos. Instead, choose prayer. You’re not in this alone, and the presence of God will come to your side just like He did for Paul.
It’s OK to Not Be OK
Acts 27:23-24 (TPT)
For God’s angel visited me last night, the angel of my God, the God I passionately serve. He came and stood in front of me and said, “Don’t be afraid, Paul. You are destined to stand trial before Caesar. And because of God’s favor on you, he has given you the lives of everyone who is sailing with you.”
The Angel of the Lord didn’t appear and simply say, “Fear not.” Instead, He spoke directly to Paul, and said, “Don’t be afraid, Paul.” Why? Because Paul was afraid! If Paul wasn’t afraid, God wouldn’t have had to send word directly to Paul and tell him not to be afraid.
However, God didn’t hold Paul’s fear against him. God didn’t fault Paul for being afraid. After all, Paul was in a boat in the middle of a hurricane! God simply reminded Paul about a promise that He had made to him years earlier. Paul had to go to Rome to stand trial before Caesar so he could share his testimony with the most powerful person in the world at the time.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you have to put on a brave face and pretend that everything is OK while you deal with the short-term and long-term effects of the storm, but it’s OK to not be OK. God didn’t fault Paul for his fear, and He won’t fault you for yours.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, be with every individual who is dealing with the impact of Hurricane Ian. Give them peace, give them strength, most of all, give them hope for a better tomorrow. In Christ’s name, Amen.