Why God Lets Us Pass through Storms

Friend, do you wonder why God lets us pass through storms? He not only allows storms into our lives but often He deliberately leads us into the storms.

These could be storms throwing us into the mighty and scary waves of financial problems, health crises, marriage conflicts, relationship tension, shattered dreams, and soul-crushing losses.  

The fact is that even and especially for the faithful and devoted followers of Christ, severe storms will come. God foresees all our storms, and following Him often means passing through storms.

Following Jesus often means passing through storms. #encouragement #spiritualgrowth #spiritualmaturity Share on X

As a follower of Christ, I have experienced many storms in my life. Some of them took me completely by surprise and left me with a feeling that I was drowning.

I felt God was not treating me fairly, and I wondered if I did something wrong to experience such severe trials. I even wondered if I would survive my latest and most violent storm that brought death to my husband, family, and the life I cherished.

Why? Why would God lead us into a dangerous storm threatening to destroy us? Where is He during the storm?

Here are 5 reasons why we need to pass through storms as believers.

Remember to pin me for later!

#1 God Leads Us into Storms to Test Our Hearts

Our hearts and knowing what is in our hearts is of utmost value to God. The Bible tells us that our hearts are our most treasured possessions. (Proverbs 4:23)

Purity of heart is one of the highest virtues because only the pure in heart will see God.(Matthew 5:8)

God knows already what is in our hearts. But we need to know it too.

The pressure we experience, when we struggle with the mighty winds of afflictions, brings the hidden out and shows us what is inside. These could be various fears, doubts, false beliefs, or wrong priorities. Wounds may surface, as well as unforgiveness, bitterness, and sinful attitudes.

God allows things to come into the light not to shame us or crush us, but to start healing and lead us into a greater measure of freedom.

If you are currently passing through a storm, ask yourself, “What is in my heart the storm reveals?”

God allows things to come into the light not to shame us or crush us, but to start healing and lead us into a greater measure of freedom.  #healing #freedom #encouragement Share on X

#2 God Lets Us Pass through Storms to Test our Faith

The second important reason God leads us into storms is to test our faith.

Our faith is also one of our most precious possessions and has great value to God. He cares deeply about our faith because this is also the means of how we connect and do life together with Him, here on earth. 

“These (trials) have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7)

Perhaps you have heard the quote: “Faith not tested is faith that can’t be trusted.”  God already knows our faith, but the testing gives us the chance to see for ourselves how much we trust God, and in which areas we have difficulties trusting Him.

#3 God Leads Us into Storms to Show Us Who He Is

The storms don’t only reveal who we are and the condition of our hearts and faith; they also reveal who God is and let us experience His power and nearness in a new way.

The storms show us that God has full authority and power over everything, including the raging sea and the mighty winds. Every storm is a perfect opportunity to experience a new aspect of His character and a new display of His specific work in our lives.

He is the One who can calm down every storm with one word or give us supernatural strength and peace to go through the storm and reach unharmed on the other shore.

“For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord Almighty is his name.” (Isaiah 51:15)

The storms in our lives reveal who God is and let us experience His power and nearness in a new way.  #trustGod #encouragement #spiritualgrowth Share on X

#4 God Lets Us Pass through Storms to Transform and Mature Us

If we cling closer to the Lord in the storm and allow Him to work in our hearts and minds, then something miraculous happens. We experience transformation and spiritual growth.

We become emotionally and spiritually mature, and that leads to prosperity and wholeness. God uses the storms to refine us and make us like gold, beautiful and precious.

“But he knows the way that I take;  when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

These are the words of Job, the Bible character, who experienced the most severe trials and storms of his life. But he could trust God in His storm because he believed God was about to bring something good and valuable out of his pain.

#5 God Leads Us into Storms to Perfect Our Faith

Storms not only transform our characters but they also perfect and mature our faith. This means they can strengthen and deepen our relationship with God.

For example, storms open our eyes and ears to listen much more intently to God’s voice, because these are times we need Him desperately. We learn to recognize and heed God’s voice, and this is vital for our relationship.

Storms also help us rely on God’s word and to apply biblical truth and this is a major aspect of our faith.

We also learn to look for and recognize God’s answer to our prayers, to accept it, and to surrender to His will in the storm. Even and especially when His answer doesn’t look how we want it or expect it.

Lord of the Storms and King of the Flood

Storms in our lives teach us a lot about ourselves and God and serve as a mighty change agent.

They teach us to trust God more and learn from experience that He is bigger than anything and that He is enough.

He is the Master and Lord of the storms and King of the flood and we can pass through every storm with Him.

“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:10-11)

A Powerful Resource to Comfort You in the Storms

In this “Book of Comforts” you’ll find comfort when you struggle with unmet expectations, disillusionment in faith, when you are in a season of pain, when your hope diminishes, when life gets hard, and much more. Reflection questions and a guided prayer follow each devotion.

More Encouragement for You

If you need more resources and encouragement to strengthen your faith and help you see God’s purposes and love when you pass through storms, I highly recommend these books. Check them out.

Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings by Hadassah Treu

Life Changing Stories compiled by Mary Armand (my story about passing through the storm of betrayal is included)

Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer

Mining for God’s Gold in Life’s Dark Valleys by Margaret E. Head

Extinguishing the Spirit of Fear: 30 Devotions to Battle Fear and Anxiety by Devotable

Before You Quit: Everyday Endurance, Moral Courage, and the Quest for Purpose by Doug Gehman

Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

Women of Courage: A 40-Day Devotional by (In)Courage

Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert

Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst

This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!

Your Turn

What did the storm in your life teach you about yourself and God? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!

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Here are 5 reasons why we need to pass through storms as believers. #spiritualgrowth #faith #encouragement #Biblestudy Share on X

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