The Calm That Stirs: Lessons from Hurricane Helene


 Hurricane Helene recently left a path of devastation across Florida and the southeastern U.S., killing at least 44 people and leaving thousands scrambling for safety. With 140 mph winds tearing through trees, homes, and infrastructure, the Category 4 hurricane brought widespread flooding, power outages, and destruction. Helene’s impact was catastrophic, from snapping towering oaks to knocking out power to hospitals. Across five states—Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia—the storm’s aftermath has been a harrowing reminder of nature’s power and the fragility of life.

Storms like Helene shake our world. They bring chaos, fear, and an undeniable feeling of powerlessness as communities grapple with loss and disruption and we pray for the victims of the catastrophe and the families who have lost loved ones. At the same time, just as we prepare for storms with chainsaws and road clearing, we all face internal storms—moments of turmoil that make us feel like we are standing in the middle of a hurricane.

Thanks for reading Digital Animation Evangelism! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

In our personal lives, these storms might be struggles in relationships, health issues, financial crises, or spiritual battles. When winds blow at 140 mph in our hearts, it can be hard to find solid ground. And in those moments, it’s easy to focus on the devastation around us and forget that storms can also lead to renewal. Just like rescue crews braving floodwaters to bring relief, there is an opportunity for spiritual rescue amidst our storms.

Consider the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:39. The disciples were panicking as they faced strong winds and waves, but Jesus stood up and said, “Quiet! Be still!” The storm instantly stopped. That calming power isn’t just for the storms around us, but for the storms within us too. No matter how wild and destructive life’s hurricanes might be, Jesus offers peace and strength in the chaos.

Hurricane Helene, though destructive, will eventually leave behind a clearer sky and an opportunity to rebuild. Similarly, life’s storms are moments that can either break us down or push us to seek the peace and strength that only God can provide. Psalm 29:11 says, "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." Jesus calms our storms, but He also stirs our spirits, filling us with energy to rebuild, to inspire others, and to bring God’s love to life in the world around us.

Think:

  1. When faced with life's storms, where do you turn for peace and strength? Are you relying on your own strength, or seeking the deeper calm that Jesus offers?

  2. Is your spiritual energy simply enough to survive, or is it overflowing with purpose and the desire to bring light into dark places?

Storms may bring destruction, but they can also clear the path for growth, clarity, and new beginnings. Are you ready to let God calm your storm and stir your spirit to bring peace to others?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Loving Our Neighbor In A Divided World: Can We?

Image
  The Struggle to Find Unity in a Divided World In a world filled with division, many of us are worn out. The news, social media, even the people we love seem constantly at odds. From families divided by politics to friends disagreeing over social issues, our world feels splintered. It’s tempting to give up trying to bridge these divides – to stick to “our side” where it feels safer, where people share our beliefs. After all, reaching out to someone who disagrees with us isn’t easy; it’s uncomfortable, vulnerable. But maybe that very choice, the hard choice to love others even when we disagree, is exactly what our world needs right now. The Cost of Living for Ourselves When we focus only on our own interests, we risk losing what matters most. It’s easy to think, If everyone else is just looking out for themselves, why shouldn’t I? But that kind of thinking chips away at our integrity, our relationships, and our peace. Maybe you’ve felt it yourself – the quiet tug that says, This i...
Read more

People Who Laugh Often See These Results...

Image
We have heard the saying for many years that laughter is a good medicine and there is validity to this saying. Laughter helps our neurological, physical, emotional, cognitive and social health and well-being in many ways. When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, but it actually induces physical changes in your body. In 2002, a study on humor therapy was conducted at Loma Linda University in California. The researchers had 52 men watch a comedy video for 1 hour. Blood samples were taken 10 minutes before watching, 30 minutes into the video, and 30 minutes after the video ended, and once more 12 hours later. The study found that just one hour of watching stand-up comedy boost the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer cell, B-cells, T-cells and immunoglobulins in the test subjects. Other benefits produced by laughter Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed ...
Read more

Responding with Grace to Frustrating Conversations

Image
In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in heated discussions, especially with opinions everywhere from social media to everyday interactions. Yet, as followers of Christ, we’re called to respond differently—more graciously—even when tensions rise. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Our words can either build bridges or create divides, so choosing gentleness is a powerful first step. Responding with grace doesn’t mean being passive or avoiding the truth; it’s about letting love guide our responses. Jesus demonstrated this countless times, especially when He faced criticism or challenging questions. He answered not with defensiveness, but with compassion and understanding. Following His example, we too can practice patience and understanding, recognizing that we’re all on a journey and have different perspectives. James 1:19 encourages us, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become an...
Read more