Praising God in the Midst of the Storm

🎯 Sermon Title: Gratitude in the Eye of the Storm

📌 Introduction

Storms come to all of us—some are physical, others are emotional or spiritual. They can leave us shaken, fearful, uncertain. Yet, in the midst of such turbulence, the Bible commands us: "In every thing give thanks." It seems like a contradiction. How can we be thankful in hardship? The secret lies not in denying the storm, but in trusting the God who rules above it. This message is a call to cultivate a heart of gratitude, even when everything around us seems to be falling apart.

Illustration: Horatio Spafford wrote "It Is Well With My Soul" after losing his daughters in a shipwreck. He was in a storm—yet gave thanks.

💡 Proposition:

We can remain thankful to God in the midst of life's storms when we understand His sovereignty, trust His presence, and look toward His promises.

📖 I. Because God is Sovereign Over the Storm

Text: Matthew 8:27 — "But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!"

1. Present the Text

Jesus calms the storm on the sea. The disciples are terrified, yet Christ is in control.

2. Explain the Text

Even when the disciples doubted, Jesus showed absolute authority over nature. The wind and sea were not random forces—He had dominion over them.

3. Apply the Text

If He controls the physical storms, He certainly reigns over the spiritual ones. Nothing touches our lives unless it passes through His sovereign hand.

Application Phrase: “Even when the winds roar, He still reigns.”

📖 II. Because God’s Presence is With Us in the Storm

Text: Isaiah 43:2 — "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee..."

1. Present the Text

This is God’s promise to Israel, but it echoes to all His people today. “I will be with thee.”

2. Explain the Text

God does not promise to keep us from storms, but to be with us in them. The Hebrew word for “with” (עִמָּנוּ, immanu) emphasizes intimate presence.

3. Apply the Text

In every hospital room, in every sleepless night, in every loss—He is there.

Application Phrase: “God’s presence is the peace in our panic.”

📖 III. Because God’s Promises Give Us Hope Through the Storm

Text: Romans 8:28 — "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God..."

1. Present the Text

Paul is writing to a suffering church, reminding them that even pain is woven into God’s purpose.

2. Explain the Text

“All things” includes storms. The Greek word synergei (συνεργεῖ) means to cooperate or work together. Trials are not good in themselves, but God uses them for our good.

3. Apply the Text

We can thank Him not for the pain, but for the promise that He is using it for eternal glory.

Application Phrase: “There’s purpose in your pain when God holds the pen.”

✝️ Gospel Connection

The greatest storm in history happened on the cross, where Jesus bore the full wrath of God for our sins. He didn’t just endure a storm—He became our refuge in the storm. Those who come to Him in faith will find peace in the storm and safety in eternity.

John 16:33 — "...In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

✅ Conclusion

Storms will come. But we serve a God who is sovereign over them, present in them, and able to turn them for our good. Therefore, in everything, let us give thanks—not because of what the storm is doing to us, but because of what God is doing through it.

Final Illustration: The roots of a tree go deeper during storms. So too, our faith deepens when we give thanks during trials.

📋 Recap Outline

Title: Gratitude in the Eye of the Storm Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Proposition: We can remain thankful during life’s storms by trusting in God’s sovereignty, presence, and promises.

I. Thankful Because God is Sovereign Over the Storm (Matt. 8:27)

II. Thankful Because God is Present in the Storm (Isa. 43:2)

III. Thankful Because God’s Promises Sustain Us in the Storm (Rom. 8:28)

Would you like me to expand this into a full manuscript sermon with illustrations, transitions, and personal stories?

Title: Gratitude in the Eye of the Storm

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 — "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

🔰 INTRODUCTION

Brothers and sisters, we are not strangers to storms. They come in many forms—emotional breakdowns, financial crises, family problems, health challenges, or spiritual dry seasons. These are times when we feel like the winds of life are too strong, the waves too high, and our strength too weak.

But the Word of God comes to us today with a strange command: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Not for everything, but in everything. Not just in good times, but also in the storms.

Let me ask you: Can you give thanks while you're crying? Can you praise while you're in pain? Can you trust God when you don't see the end of the tunnel?

Illustration: Horatio Spafford wrote It Is Well With My Soul after losing his daughters at sea. The waves took what he loved most, but not his faith.

This morning, I want to show you why we can still be thankful even during storms.

💡 PROPOSITION:

We can remain thankful to God in the midst of life's storms when we understand His sovereignty, His presence, and His promises.

🔍 DEVELOPMENT

🕊️ I. We Are Thankful Because God is Sovereign Over the Storm

Text: Matthew 8:27 — "But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!"

1. Present the Text

Jesus and His disciples were on a boat when a fierce storm arose. The disciples panicked. They woke Jesus up, and He rebuked the wind and sea—and there was a great calm.

2. Explain the Text

The disciples were fishermen—they knew storms. But this one terrified them. Yet Jesus was asleep. Why? Because He was in total control.

When He stood and said, "Peace, be still", the storm immediately stopped. The disciples were stunned—not just by the calm, but by who brought it.

The Greek implies a kind of divine awe: “What sort of man is this?” Only God can control the sea (see Psalm 89:9).

3. Apply the Text

We may not understand the storm, but we can trust the One who rules it. The storm is not in charge—God is.

Application phrase: “Even when the winds roar, He still reigns.”

Personal Application: Maybe your storm is financial or relational. Take heart—Jesus has not left the boat. He is Lord over the storm.

🔥 II. We Are Thankful Because God’s Presence is With Us in the Storm

Text: Isaiah 43:2 — "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee..."

1. Present the Text

This verse was given to Israel during a difficult exile. God didn’t promise to remove the fire or water—but to be with them through it.

2. Explain the Text

Notice the word “when”—not if. Storms are guaranteed. But so is God’s presence. The Hebrew word used for “with” (עִמָּנוּ – immanu) is the same root used in Immanuel, “God with us.”

Even in the fire (like with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), God walks in with you. He doesn't leave you behind.

3. Apply the Text

The presence of God doesn’t always remove the storm, but it removes fear in the storm.

Application phrase: “God’s presence is the peace in our panic.”

Personal Application: When you feel alone in grief, in the hospital, or in your struggles—remember, you are not alone. God is there.

🌈 III. We Are Thankful Because God's Promises Give Us Hope Through the Storm

Text: Romans 8:28 — "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God..."

1. Present the Text

Paul is not writing a cliché—he’s writing from a life of suffering. Shipwrecks. Beatings. Imprisonment. But he says: We know...

2. Explain the Text

“All things” includes storms. The Greek word synergei (συνεργεῖ) means to work together—like ingredients in a recipe. Some parts are bitter, but the end result is good.

God doesn’t waste your pain. He turns it into purpose.

3. Apply the Text

We can thank God not for the storm, but for what He’s producing through it. Our character, our faith, our witness, and our hope are all being refined.

Application phrase: “There’s purpose in your pain when God holds the pen.”

Personal Application: What if this storm is the very tool God is using to bring about your next blessing or to shape someone else’s faith?

✝️ THE GOSPEL:

Let me tell you about the greatest storm ever faced—it wasn’t a natural disaster. It happened on a hill called Calvary. The storm of God’s wrath was poured out on His Son, Jesus Christ, for our sins.

And Jesus didn’t calm that storm. He absorbed it.

So that today, anyone who trusts in Him has an unshakable anchor for their soul.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...” (John 14:27)

✅ CONCLUSION

Storms will come. That's a guarantee. But our response should not be fear—it should be faith. Not bitterness, but thankfulness.

Because God rules the storm.

Because God walks with us in the storm.

Because God redeems the storm.

Illustration: Trees grow deeper roots during storms. Your storm may be God’s way of helping your spiritual roots grow deep into His grace.

So this morning, as hard as it may be, say it out loud: “Lord, I thank You—even in this.”

📌 RECAP

I. Thankful Because God is Sovereign Over the Storm (Matt. 8:27)

II. Thankful Because God is Present in the Storm (Isa. 43:2)

III. Thankful Because God’s Promises Sustain Us in the Storm (Rom. 8:28)

🙏 FINAL PRAYER

"Lord, help us to be a people who give thanks—not only when the sun shines, but even when the sky is dark. Give us eyes to see Your hand, ears to hear Your voice, and hearts to trust Your purpose. May we never forget: the storm does not have the final word—You do. Amen."