When Tornado Sirens Sound
My Facebook feed is full of anxiety, fear, and uneasiness; there are literally hundreds of posts about the tornado’s that are likely to come our way later this afternoon. The reactions are understandable with the predictions of what we may face today. The history of tornado activity in our area the last couple of years necessitates the need for precautions and extra vigilance about weather awareness. I am one of those who will be out today in the weather, our kids went to school, and I plan to treat the day like any other. I will be weather aware, but I refuse to be paralyzed by weather fear.
Can I just share my heart for a minute? The mere mention of the word “tornado” seems to send unparalleled panic and terror through many people. Such reactions are predictable, but surely this isn’t the only way to live. Nobody likes volatile circumstances. Threats beyond our control frighten us; weather conditions which we cannot stop or alter remind us of the reality that we are far less in control then we would ever like to admit.
And yet, sometimes life itself, in all of its chaos, feels almost tornado-like doesn’t it? The winds are fierce and we feel tossed around by other peoples actions, car accidents, job changes, marriage struggles, un-budgeted expenses, children who make poor decisions, family drama, bosses who demand too much and pay too little, and the list could go on. Our circle of “control” is sometimes messy with things flying around and sometimes all we can do is watch in horror. Have you been there? I have.
So what do we do when the inevitable tornados come? We seek refuge. Shelter. A hiding place. Fortress. A place of protection from danger or distress. Or as one of the definitions of refuge states: something to which one has recourse in difficulty.
As believers we have more then “something”– rather, we have “Someone.”
Psalms 91 declares that God is a refuge and fortress, that His faithful promises are our armor and protection. It promises us that if we make the Lord our refuge He will order His angels to protect us.
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. (Psalms 91:14-15)
When your soul is distressed, when the blare of the sirens is louder then you can bare, when you can see the deadly storms closing in — put your hope in the One who controls the winds and the rain! (Psalms 43:5) Today— whether you are facing literal tornados or perhaps just the destructive spinning of life circumstances beyond your control, run to Him for refuge! God is capable of calming any storm, halting any wind, and sheltering you from damaging hail. While that is surely comforting, there is another painful reality isn’t there? God sometimes allows the storms to rage. But friends, that is where the best news come in, the Bible tell us that hope is an anchor for our souls. It steadies us and holds us securely! We know who is in control and we know that He is good. Sometimes we need reminding that even when the news is bad, there is good news. Even when the fiercest of storms threaten us– our God is Mighty and completely in control! It is with that knowledge we can rest in the safety of His arms regardless of what the weather brings!