In The Face Of Storms

In my lifetime, I have survived many different kinds of literal storms: a tornado in Indiana, a blizzard in Washington DC, a couple of hurricanes in Florida, and numerous earthquakes here in California.

Despite all these events, the only property I lost was a bottle of soy sauce and a broken picture frame during the Northridge earthquake of 1994, which killed 57 people and caused roughly $50 billion in damage.

Some of my childhood friends were not so lucky. Many were still sifting through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene when Hurricane Milton reared its ugly head, gaining strength as it hovered over the warm Gulf of Mexico.
 
In moments like these, when warnings from FEMA and government officials still echoing in our ears, I think of the Old Testament prophets who called out to the Israelites, urging them to turn back to God in the face of danger. And as I watch the news reports of the aftermath, I picture the exiles who returned home to find their land ravaged.
 
An ancient psalmist wrote these words of hope: “God is our  refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). This particular verse has been a lifelong mantra that’s gotten me through various upheavals in my life.

And then there is, of course, Jesus’ contemplative question. “Why do you worry” about earthly possessions that can be easily destroyed, I am remind to “store your treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-21). Whatever storm you are facing, these timeless truths have served as pillars of my faith that I think can really help us find calm in the midst of the chaos and storms of life.
 
As I watched news of the storm's damage, I recall the ancient prophets witnessing something spectacular in the returning exiles - a hope filled community, ready to rebuild. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the Church’s calling to be a beacon of faith, hope, and resilience in the face of adversity.
 
It’s in this space, when the world feels like it is falling apart, we’re called to stand together as a faithful community, ready to serve and build the Kingdom of God. By trusting in God's providence and supporting one another, we can rise above the rubble and emerge stronger from every storm.