What to do in the Eye of the Storm?

Title: What to Do in the Eye of the Storm?

Introduction

Intro statement: In times of struggle, in the middle of the storm, God remains in control.

Thesis statement: Just as earthly storms bring chaos and destruction, spiritual storms challenge our faith. However, God is our refuge in the storm, and suffering is not meaningless—it has purpose in His plan.

Body

I. Understanding the Storm: Earthly vs. Spiritual

Storms disrupt our clarity, making it hard to see the full picture.

Psalm 107:29, Isaiah 25:4, Matthew 8:27 – God has power over the storm and suffering.

The suffering in the storm reflects deeper spiritual suffering.

In the storms of life, Psalm 107:29 reminds us that God calms the raging seas. Once, during a chaotic season, I found solace in this verse, feeling the waves of anxiety crash around me. Like the disciples in Matthew 8:27, we often forget who's in the boat with us. In moments of turmoil, we can anchor our faith in His ability to bring peace amid chaos, assuring us that even in our darkest hours, He is our refuge.

II. The Reality of Suffering in a Fallen World

1 Peter 4:1 – Suffering in the flesh.

A There was a time in my life when I felt completely overworked and unappreciated. I poured everything I had into my job, but no matter how hard I worked, it never seemed to be enough. The pressure was relentless, and I found myself making mistakes—not because I didn’t care, but because I was completely burnt out.

Then came the moments of uncertainty—times when I was laid off, when financial stress weighed heavily on me, and I had no idea what the future held. In those moments, I struggled with doubt. Had I failed? Had I wasted my time chasing after something that could be taken away in an instant?It was during one of these low points that I found myself reading 1 Peter 4:1:

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” (1 Peter 4:1, ESV)

It was as if God was speaking directly to me—reminding me that suffering isn’t meaningless. Jesus Himself suffered, and if I was enduring hardship, maybe it wasn’t a sign of failure but a sign that God was refining me for something greater.

In that moment, I realized that no career, no paycheck, no amount of earthly success could ever give me what Christ offers—eternal life, true peace, and a purpose that lasts forever. The world only gives us temporary pleasure, but Jesus gives us something that will never fade.

I felt the Lord stirring something in my heart—calling me to preach the Gospel, to shift my focus from the things that fade to the things that last. My suffering wasn’t a punishment; it was a redirection. And through it, I saw how God always provides—not just financially, but spiritually, giving me clarity and strength when I needed it most.

Romans 8:18 – Present sufferings are temporary compared to eternal glory.

Christ came to deliver us from sin, death, and the power of Satan.

2 Corinthians 12:7 – Paul’s thorn in the flesh.

Job 1:12, Job 2:6 – Satan is allowed to afflict, but only by God's permission.

III. The Solution to Suffering: A Biblical Perspective

Rejoice in suffering – Colossians 1:24 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,”

I I remember teaching my child to ride his bike. At first, we had to use training wheels. Even with them, he had to learn balance, coordination, and the courage to keep going. There were times he would get frustrated, times when even with the training wheels, he would slip.

Then came the day we removed them. That’s when the real falls started happening. Over and over again, he would wobble, lose control, and hit the ground. Every time, I would rush to him, check for scrapes, and encourage him to get back up. It took patience, not just from him—but from me too. As a father, it was difficult to watch him struggle, but I knew that each fall was part of the process. He had to go through it to grow stronger, to gain the confidence to ride on his own. And I was with him through it all.

God is the same way. He doesn’t abandon us in our struggles—He’s right there, guiding us, watching over us, and helping us get back up when we fall. And just as I was present with my son, supporting him, encouraging him, and sometimes letting him stumble so he could grow, God does the same with us.

Colossians 1:24 – “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.”

But God doesn’t just leave us to suffer alone—He gives us fellow believers. Just like I was there for my child, our Christian brothers and sisters are here to suffer together, encourage one another, and build each other up. We don’t go through trials alone. We go through them as the body of Christ, growing together in faith, endurance, and love.

Suffer together – 1 Corinthians 12:26

Glorify God in suffering – 1 Peter 4:16

Jesus is the ultimate solution. Unlike Eastern religions that seek to avoid suffering, Christianity acknowledges suffering but gives it meaning.

Being a Christian does not exempt us from suffering.

IV. Why Is There Suffering?

Imagine a gardener tending to a rosebush. As he prunes away the dead branches, it looks harsh and painful from the outside. However, this process is essential for new growth. Just as God prunes us through suffering, shaping us into more beautiful reflections of His image, He invites us to trust Him during these painful seasons. One day in eternity, those pruned roses will bloom in remarkable glory, transforming our understanding of suffering into a testament of hope.

Genesis 3:15 – The fall of man introduced suffering.

Christ’s suffering as our example:

Isaiah 50:6, Isaiah 53:3-5, Mark 15:34 – The suffering of Christ.

Hebrews 5:8, Hebrews 13:12 – The purpose of Christ’s suffering.

Suffering is considered an intrusion into God’s good creation (Genesis 1:31), but it will one day be abolished (Revelation 21:4).

V. Faith in the Midst of Suffering

In ancient Rome, followers of Christ were often persecuted and faced severe trials. Imagine one such believer, quietly sharing the Gospel in the face of danger, inspired by Romans 8:17. Although suffering for their faith was painful, they knew it was a pathway to eternal life with Christ. The late-night prayers, tears of anguish, and unwavering courage became a testimony of faith to those around them, reminding us that through tribulations, we often witness God's grace and strength, leading to a deeper trust in Him.

Faith does not require an immediate answer for suffering but trusts God in the darkness.

Hebrews 2:2-4 – Faith is tested through endurance.

Suffering gains new meaning for those in Christ:

2 Corinthians 1:5, Mark 10:39, Romans 8:17 – Sharing in Christ’s sufferings.

Romans 8:18, Hebrews 12:1-2, Matthew 5:10, 2 Corinthians 4:17 – Suffering leads to resurrection and glory.

Acts 14:22, John 16:21 – Tribulation is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 24:21-22, Revelation 12:1-2, 13-17 – The birth pains of the new age.

Conclusion

Closing statement: In the eye of the storm, we must stand firm in faith, knowing that suffering is temporary and that God remains in control.

Reworded thesis: Suffering is inevitable in this fallen world, but it is not meaningless—it refines our faith, draws us closer to Christ, and points us toward the eternal glory that awaits us.

Christian, Jesus does not suffer so as to exclude your suffering. He bears a cross, not that you may escape it, but that you may endure it. Christ exempts you from sin, but not from sorrow. Remember that, and expect to suffer.

Charles Spurgeon