Faith in the Storm:

Trusting God When Life Feels Overwhelming

The irony isn’t lost on me that I planned this blog series—Faith in the Storm—months ago, and yet here we are, coming off one of the stormiest weeks I can remember.

For three nights in a row, we were up in the middle of the night, huddled in the closet as tornadoes barreled toward our town. Being on high alert for multiple nights left us physically drained and emotionally raw. Saying we’re exhausted feels like an understatement.

When the Storms of Life Are Relentless

Everyone I know has been praying—for the storms to pass, for peace to return, and for a break in the chaos. It’s been a week of survival mode, of holding our breath and waiting for calm.

As I sat down to write, my heart turned to the story of Noah. I started wondering—what was it like for him to face a storm that didn’t let up for weeks?

Did he beg for the rain to stop? Did he question the plan? Or did he simply trust that God knew what He was doing?

Noah’s Ark: More Than 40 Days of Rain

We often remember the famous part: 40 days and 40 nights of rain. But when I reread the story today, something new stood out—the earth stayed flooded for 150 days (Genesis 7:24). One hundred fifty days of waiting, floating, and wondering what came next.

I can barely handle a week on a cruise ship before I’m craving solid ground. But Noah? He endured nearly half a year of uncertainty.

It made me ask:

What if the hardest part of faith isn’t building the ark—but being still inside it?
Can we trust God’s timing even when we feel adrift?

Trusting God in the Unknown

Surely, Noah grieved. The flood wasn’t just water—it represented loss. Yes, he had his family, but everything else was gone. The silence after the storm must have been deafening.

Whether you see Noah’s story as literal history or powerful metaphor, there’s wisdom here for every emotional and spiritual storm we face today.

Storms don’t always give warning. Sometimes they crash in, shaking everything we thought was stable. But Noah’s story reminds us:

• He trusted before the skies darkened.

• He obeyed God when no one else did.

• He built an ark in the sunshine, not the rain.
  

God’s Instructions Are Never Random

God didn’t just say, “Build a boat.” He gave Noah detailed blueprints. Every measurement had a purpose. Every piece had intention. It wasn’t just about getting Noah through the storm—it was about sustaining him in it.

Maybe the instructions you’ve been given in this season feel oddly specific. Maybe even strange. But what if those details are actually your protection?

Can you follow God step by step, even when the path is unfamiliar?

Look for the Olive Leaf: Signs of Hope in the Storm

Eventually, the rain stopped. The waters began to recede. And one day, Noah released a dove. When it returned with an olive leaf, it was a small sign—but a powerful one. Dry land was near. Life was beginning again.

When you’re in the middle of a storm, pay attention to the olive leaves—those small, sacred signs that whisper:

“You’re not forgotten. Something new is growing.”

God’s Promises Are for the Storm, Not Just After

When Noah stepped off the ark, the world wasn’t magically perfect. The ground was still wet with what had been lost. But overhead, God painted a rainbow—a covenant that destruction would not have the final word.

So let me ask you:

• What storm are you facing right now?

• What promise has God spoken over your life?

God’s faithfulness isn’t just for after the storm—it’s for through it. Even when you can’t see the rainbow, He’s still keeping His word.

A Prayer for Faith in the Storm

God, when the rain falls and the storms rise, help me trust You like Noah did. Give me faith to build when no one else understands, to wait when I feel forgotten, and to hope when I see only water. Thank You that Your plans are always for good and Your promises always true. Help me see the olive leaves and the rainbows—even in the middle of it all. Amen.