Protection in the Storm
Published Apr 5, 2022
By Ellen van Groll
2 Samuel 22:2 He sang, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my savior. My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.”
It had been a beautiful, clear July day. My three kids and I were visiting old friends two hours away from home. The clear skies kept us comfortable the first hour of the drive back but that changed with the dark, angry clouds up ahead. They were a true indication for what we would be in for. The rain started and the wind picked up. At this point, Scott, my husband, called to report about the weather we could be driving into. Soon after, the rain turned to a torrential downpour and the wind became fierce, his report was accurate. * That was problem number one. * My hands gripped the steering wheel, my face was as close to the windshield as possible, and my heart was pounding in panic. I said a silent prayer hoping the kids couldn’t see how scared I was. No longer able to see the road, I followed the cars ahead of me and pulled off to the side of the highway. Who was I kidding? There was no hiding my fear at this point, I couldn’t even find the big red triangle button for the flashers! * Problem number 2. * With a shaky hand I eventually found it and pressed it. Whimpers from the backseat forced me to look back. I knew my kids needed me to keep it together, to be their calm. “It’s going to be okay; Jesus will take care of us.” I assured them and myself. If only what I knew, would connect with my heart, then I could calm my internal anxieties. Instead, I felt the same as my car at that moment, in the 70 mph winds, barely enough to be considered a safe place. I wanted to be comfortable again, I wanted to be back where I was, cruising down the highway on a beautiful day. Comfortable. I wanted my kids and myself to be comfortable. Rrrrr, rrrrr, rrrrr, tornado warnings blasted on the radio, * problem number 3. * We were everything BUT comfortable. We were uncomfortable and trapped. Whimpers turned into cries of fear. I shut my eyes, took a deep breath and prayed out loud for what seemed like, well, foooreeever. Soon after, I noticed a slight let up in the rain. I took my chances and very cautiously made my escape from the side of the road. About 15 miles of snail speed with flashers flashing and hands gripping, and we were in the clear. 30 more minutes and we’d be home. The rest of the way home, our conversation was centered on how God protects us. That He is always with us and will never leave us. We talked about the fact that He was in the car with us and as we prayed and called out to Him, we found comfort knowing He was there and that we could trust Him.
I wonder how often we focus on the discomfort of our situations rather than trusting. We focus on the problem rather than the protection. I couldn’t see a foot in front of me due to the torrential downpour, but I also couldn’t see His protection due to my discomfort. It’s like our comfortability blinds us of the protection that is at hand. This is a human reaction though, we all do it. I later learned about about King David and a song he wrote about God’s protection. I’m sure it’s no surprise I couldn’t fall asleep that night. My adrenaline and anxiety were ready to party. So, I did what I often do when my mind doesn’t cooperate, and I can’t sleep. I shuffled my way out to the living room, plopped my body into the chair and opened up my Bible to a random page.
2 Samuel 22:2 He sang, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my savior. My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.”
Why do we face storms in life that feel so crazy uncomfortable?! As I read about David I started to gain some clarity. David was weak too. In fact, He had been in near death situations, he had been hiding in a cave. And I realized that through the experiences of calling out to God. When we feel like we are stuck and there is nothing we can do. The times when we are on our knees in desperation, it is in those times that God strengthens us in our humility. When our fortress becomes God and we put our trust in Him, that is when the storm is around us but not in us. Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is Good.” Taste? The word taste here means perceive or understand. I don’t know about you, but for me, if I really want to understand something, if I really want to grasp the concept, I need to experience it. When I experience the storm, then I can see that the Lord is good. Now that I’ve been through the storm, I’ve learned, I’ve grown. I’m sure I won’t struggle to find those darn flashers the next time I need them:) In the moment we feel desperate for it to end. We feel anxious to be relieved but God knows so much more than we do. As God takes us through the storm or allows the storm to happen, He protects us in it and He also protects us from the unforeseeable future. While God is protecting us, He is also strengthening us. It’s ok if you don’t see it while you’re in it. David didn’t, Jonah didn’t, Joseph didn’t, I most certainly didn’t. You don’t see the rainbow until after the storm. you don’t see the bud until after the fight through the hard ground and you don’t see the baby until after the birth. First you taste and then you see that the Lord is good. Trust in His mighty protection.
I can’t tell you how many times in my life I look back and then see His protection in it. In His timing, the people he placed in my path, the unanswered prayers. I’m learning to see the protection rather than the problem even when I’m in the storm. Learning was the key word. I’ll admit, I’m not entirely there. But, I do know that I have a safe place in the storm. I have a fortress to run to and a Savior to look to. His protection is greater than my problems.
