How to Stay Calm in the Storm

You probably already know that storms are coming. Some of them are here already, and more are certain to come (Mt. 24:6–12). It could be terrorism, natural disaster, religious persecution, or economic pressure. The Bible is clear: there will be great conflict until the end of the age when Jesus returns.

So, how can we prepare for these trials? How can we guard our hearts as persecution increases?

Scripture offers wise counsel:

“Truly my soul silently waits for God;
From Him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be greatly moved.”
(Ps. 62:1–2).

The Lord is our salvation, Him and Him alone. One of the books that emphasizes this the most is Psalms. God has given us a book FULL of songs and prayers we can bring to Him when we’re in the midst of a storm.

David, who wrote many of the Psalms, endured great hardships in life—including years on the run from Saul—which produced these cries to God. Jesus also prayed and quoted the Psalms, such as Psalm 22 when He was on the cross.

The Psalms help us to express our emotions—good, bad, and anywhere in between—to God without fear. This prayer manual is raw and brutally honest. It will comfort us when we’re facing evil that is menacing, attacks that are false, and trials that we don’t have the ability to solve.

When life’s winds blow against us, we can go equally hard after God by praying the words that David, Jesus, and saints throughout history have prayed.

Here are some psalms to get you started: Psalm 18, 27, 28, 37, 91, and 118. If you already have a favorite psalm, you can begin with that. Speak, sing, or pray these scriptures when you face a trial, or when you want to draw near to the Lord—who is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1).

You can pray the whole psalm or specific verses that give you comfort. It also helps to commit key phrases to memory, so that you are ready when shakings and trials come.

Now—before the trials increase—is the time to hide God’s Word in your heart (Ps. 119:11). Start speaking, singing, and praying the Psalms today!

For more encouragement, watch Mike Bickle’s teaching on “How to Pray-Read the Word” »

Adam Wittenberg

position

A Detroit native who was raised in Vermont and Connecticut, Adam worked as a newspaper journalist until 2012, when he moved to Kansas City to complete the Intro to IHOPKC internship. Afterwards, he earned a four-year certificate in House of Prayer Leadership from IHOPU and is now on full-time staff in the Marketing department at IHOPKC. He also serves in the NightWatch (overnight prayer hours) and is active in evangelism. He, and his wife Stephany, have a vision to reach people everywhere with the good news of Jesus Christ.