The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
Proverbs 16:1
Throughout the history of our faith, this question has often been asked: “Where is God when tragedy strikes; and where is He when the storms come?” And as often as that question has been asked, there has been no shortage of answers put forth by Christians and non-Christians alike. But even deeper than that question is the concern by some that God is aloof, even indifferent, when storms strike.
Corrie ten Boom, the great Christian who served the Lord during World War II as a prisoner in a concentration camp, eloquently answered that question. “There is no panic in heaven,” she said, “only plans!” What a perspective from a woman who knew what suffering and tragedy are all about!
No matter what you might think, nothing takes God by surprise. When tragedy strikes, when the storms rage, God remains in control. When destruction and death seem as if they’re winning and we, in human weakness, begin to panic, God doesn’t flinch. You see, while we’re often taken by surprise, God knows exactly what is happening.
As overwhelming as the power of Satan and the destructive forces of nature appear to be, God is far stronger. He is the Creator of all that exists. In Matthew 8, when a storm threatened to destroy the boat carrying Jesus and His disciples, “He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?’”
This is our Father’s world; no matter how capricious the forces of nature might seem. And He is in control.
GOD IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL. TRUST IN HIM WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH BECAUSE HE’S NEVER TAKEN BY SURPRISE, EVEN WHEN YOU ARE!
