Storms hit all of us. Sometimes they arrive without warning, like a phone call in the middle of the night or a job that unexpectedly falls through. Other times, they build slowly—years of tension in a relationship, stress that quietly turns into burnout, or grief that never really leaves.
Jesus said something in the Bible that speaks to the suffering we face in life:
“In this world, you will have trouble.” John 16:33
Not you might have trouble. You will. That might not sound encouraging at first. But here’s the good news: Jesus doesn’t say that to discourage us—he says it to prepare us.
What Are Storms in Life?
We often describe the hardships we face in life as “storms.” It’s a fitting illustration. No matter how they come on—whether we have time to prepare or are caught off guard—storms leave damage in their wake. The same is true for the struggles of life.
The storms of life don’t always look dramatic from the outside. Sometimes they’re subtle, but still damaging.
- A conversation that left you feeling small
- A relationship that ended before you were ready
- A financial mistake that still affects your day-to-day
- A failure that left you questioning your worth
But sometimes the storm is bigger:
- The loss of someone you loved
- A marriage that ended in heartbreak
- A moment you can’t undo, no matter how badly you want to
Whatever form it takes, storms have a way of knocking us off course. And whether the damage is fresh or something we’ve had years to sit with, the aftereffects can linger. Maybe you used to be encouraging to your friends, but now you stay quiet. Maybe you used to be a confident leader, but now you’re hesitant. Or maybe you used to be trusting of others, but now you keep your guard up.
Even when the storm has passed, it can still take from us. We miss out on peace, joy, community, even our faith. And that’s where many of us get stuck—not in the storm itself, but in what it leaves behind.
Jesus Offers Peace in Our Storms
Let’s go back to what Jesus said in John 16:33. Here’s the full verse: “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus doesn’t offer peace after the storm. He offers peace in the storm.
That peace doesn’t come from pretending things are fine. It comes from knowing you're not facing it alone. He says, “Take heart.”
But why can we take heart?
Why You Can Trust Jesus with Your Pain
Jesus didn’t just talk about storms—he walked through them. When he said those words in John 16, he was hours away from his own storm: betrayal, suffering, and a death sentence. He didn’t avoid this pain. He faced it head-on.
And three days later, he overcame it.
That’s what makes his promise different from anything else you’ll hear. Jesus doesn’t offer shallow encouragement. He offers hope that’s rooted in victory. He’s walked through the worst—and came out the other side.
Which means he can walk with you, too.
What to Do If You’re Still Struggling
If a storm from your past still feels present today, or if you’re walking through a storm right now, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to struggle alone.
Here are a few ways to let Jesus into your pain so you can begin moving forward:
- Name what you’ve been carrying. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed. Sometimes healing starts by saying, “This hurts.”
- Pray—honestly. You don’t need perfect words. Just talk to Jesus and tell him how you’re feeling. Even a whispered prayer counts.
You can’t undo the past. But you can choose how you move forward from here. And moving forward is better with Jesus.
You Don’t Get to Choose the Storm, But You Can Choose Who Walks With You
Life comes with storms. That’s not something we get to opt out of. But Jesus makes us a promise: You don’t have to face the storm alone. You don’t have to let it keep taking from you. You can find peace in him.
So if you’ve been stuck in what you’ve lost, maybe today is the day to reach for what you still have. Jesus is ready to walk with you, to bring peace in the middle of the chaos and remind you that no matter how strong the storm, he’s stronger.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about storms in life?
The Bible acknowledges that storms—trials, grief, and hardships—are part of life (John 16:33). But it also teaches that we can find peace and strength in Jesus, even in the middle of those storms.
Why does God allow storms to happen?
While we don’t always know why bad things happen, storms often reveal our need for God. They grow our faith, deepen our trust, and remind us that our hope is not in this world but in him.
How do I move forward from past hurt?
To move on from your past, start by acknowledging your pain, inviting Jesus into it, and taking small steps toward healing—like prayer, honest conversation, or reconnecting with community.
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Do you in feel like God has abandoned you in the middle of your storm? He hasn’t. Here’s why you can still have hope that he’s there for you.
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LCBC stands for Lives Changed By Christ. We are one church in multiple locations across Pennsylvania. Find the location closest to you or join us for Church Online. We can’t wait to connect with you!