Life is filled with unexpected storms. Sometimes, they feel like pure chaos—an unexpected job loss, a broken relationship, an overwhelming season of doubt and confusion. Other times, the storms we face are quieter and more internal, like reliving old traumas or revisiting painful memories we thought we’d buried long ago. But what if these storms serve a deeper purpose? What if some storms were created to redirect us back to God?
Just as Jonah experienced in the Bible, certain storms can be a call to turn back to God and invite Him into the areas of our lives that we’ve tried to keep hidden or control on our own. However, it’s up to each of us to discern the nature of the storm we’re facing and decide whether we’re willing to invite God into the change He’s calling us toward.
The Story of Jonah: When the Storm is a Call to Turn Back
The story of Jonah offers a clear example of a storm designed to redirect. Jonah was a prophet called by God to go to Nineveh and deliver a message. But instead of following God’s call, Jonah ran in the opposite direction, boarding a ship to Tarshish to avoid his responsibilities. As Jonah fled, a mighty storm arose, terrifying the sailors on board. They quickly realized that the storm was no ordinary event—it was a divine intervention meant to stop Jonah and force him to confront his actions.
In Jonah 1:4-5, we read, “Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.” This storm wasn’t random; it was specifically sent to redirect Jonah back to God’s purpose for him. And while Jonah initially resisted, it wasn’t until he surrendered and accepted God’s call that the storm subsided, and his journey took him to Nineveh, where he fulfilled his purpose.
Sometimes, the storms we face in life are God’s way of calling us back. They disrupt our plans, challenge our comfort zones, and bring us face-to-face with the areas of our lives that we’ve been avoiding. These storms are not meant to harm us but to wake us up to the life and purpose God has designed for us.
“Don’t Get Accustomed to the Pig Pen”
I heard something the other day, and it stuck with me. “Don’t get accustomed to a pig pen when God has been calling you home for years.” This made me realise how important it is for us not to settle for less than what God has planned. In the story of the prodigal son, we see this vividly. The son had everything he could have needed in his father’s house but chose to leave, wasting his inheritance and ending up in a pig pen, feeding animals and struggling to survive. He became so accustomed to the dirt and poverty of his situation that he almost forgot there was a way back home.
But when he finally recognized his brokenness, he realized that even the servants in his father’s house were better off than he was. Only then, in humility, he turned back to his father, who welcomed him home with open arms. Luke 15:17-20 reminds us that the father was waiting, ready to restore his son despite everything.
How often do we settle into places of hardship, shame, or unhealed pain, allowing them to become our “normal”? We stay in the pig pen of unresolved trauma, lingering guilt, or a lack of purpose, forgetting that God is calling us back, ready to lead us into restoration. God has always been waiting and willing to bring us into His presence, but we need to be willing to get up, turn back to Him, and allow Him to do the work He wants to do in us.
Are You Inviting Change or Fighting It?
God is always working in our lives, seeking to mould us into the people He created us to be. But it’s all too easy to resist the changes He wants to make. Sometimes, we hold on tightly to our comfort zones, even if they’re places of pain or dysfunction, simply because they’re familiar. The question is, Are you inviting the changes God is actively doing, or are you fighting them?
Inviting God into these problematic areas of our lives means releasing control. It requires humility, a willingness to admit we don’t have all the answers, and a readiness to surrender to His will. On the other hand, fighting change keeps us stuck in cycles of pain, never moving forward and never allowing God to work entirely in us.
Reliving Trauma and Past Hurts
One of the biggest barriers to embracing God’s transformation is the trauma and pain we’ve buried rather than healed. We may tell ourselves that we’ve moved on and “brushed it under the rug,” but deep down, unresolved hurt continues to affect us. The unhealed wounds in our hearts can manifest in anger, fear, insecurity, or even unhealthy habits. I know this all too well. I also know how hard it can be to confront, but the reward and freedom waiting on the other side is worth facing those wounds.
God, however, doesn’t want us to carry these burdens alone. Psalm 147:3 reminds us, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” When we allow God into our past hurts, He can bring healing that goes beyond anything the world can offer. But to heal, we have to be willing to feel and confront the pain instead of numbing it or hiding from it.
If we never allow ourselves to process these traumas, they continue to resurface, and we may end up reliving them in different forms throughout our lives. God is ready to step into those painful memories to help us face and heal from them. But it’s up to us to invite Him in.
How to Discern the Storm You’re In
Not every storm we face is designed to bring us back to God; some are life’s trials and opportunities for growth rather than redirection. So, how do we discern the nature of the storm we’re in?
- Pray for Wisdom: James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” When you’re facing a storm, ask God to reveal its purpose. Is it a call to change direction or a trial meant to strengthen your faith?
- Examine Your Heart: Take a close look at your life. Are there areas where you’ve been running from God? Are there sins or unhealed wounds that you’ve avoided dealing with? Sometimes, storms are a direct result of unresolved issues we need to face.
- Seek Wise Counsel: Trusted friends, family, or spiritual mentors can often offer perspectives we might miss on our own. Reach out to those who can help you discern God’s work in your life.
- Look for Patterns: If you repeatedly face the same challenges, it could be a sign that God is trying to get your attention. Please don’t ignore the pattern; consider whether it’s a call to change course.
Inviting God Into Every Part of Your Life
God is not just interested in the “easy” parts of your life; He wants to be invited into every corner, including the messy, complicated, and painful places. The areas you’re afraid to confront or the parts of yourself you wish you could forget—God wants to bring healing there, too.
When we open ourselves to God’s work, we allow Him to take what’s broken and make it whole. It’s about surrender, about saying, “Lord, I don’t want to keep running or hiding. I need You to work in this area.” And as difficult as it may be, this surrender is where true transformation begins.
Psalm 34:18 promises us that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” God’s presence brings hope, healing, and restoration, but He waits for us to open the door and let Him in.
Conclusion: Choosing Restoration Over Comfort
In life, there are moments when we must decide between staying in our comfort zones and choosing to let God transform us. Some storms disrupt our lives to push us back into God’s arms, while others reveal the changes we need to make to grow. It’s up to us to discern the storm and decide whether we’ll invite God into the process or resist the transformation He’s offering.
Don’t get accustomed to the pig pen when God has been calling you home for years. Don’t let unresolved pain keep you stuck when God is ready to heal your wounds. Instead, allow every storm to drive you closer to Him, trusting that even the most painful seasons can lead to incredible growth and restoration.
Reflection Questions:
- Are there any areas of your life where you’ve been running from God’s call to change?
- What unhealed wounds or past traumas are you still carrying, and how can you begin to invite God into those spaces?
- How can you begin discerning whether the storms in your life are for redirection or growth?
Call to Action:
- Take time this week to pray and reflect on any “storms” you’re currently facing.
- Ask God to show you if they’re meant to redirect you, to encourage growth, or to help you heal unresolved pain.
- Invite Him into those areas and trust that He will work in ways that bring you closer to His love and purpose for your life.
Until next time,
Abby
Authentically Abby 