Kindness That Outlasts the Storm

Image: Ricardo Gomez Angel via Unsplash

"'With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,' Says the Lord, your Redeemer.'" (Isaiah 54:8, NKJV).

The Storm

In 1968, Braniff International Airways Flight 352 crashed in Dawson, Texas, killing all 85 passengers and crew aboard. En route to Dallas Love Field, the crew identified a severe storm ahead of them and asked air traffic control (ATC) for authorization to go around it. ATC advised deviating to the east as did other flights, without incident.

The crew of Flight 352 went against ATC and deviated to the west. As they entered the storm, the crew realized their mistake. They attempted a 180-degree turn, but the aircraft disintegrated due to severe turbulence and excessive bank angle.

Maybe we can all relate to this tragic story. Perhaps we've been the "captain" who saw storms of life ahead. We asked for a new direction, a course correction. The Holy Spirit provided it, but we went in the opposite direction due to our pride and arrogance.

And then, once inside the storm, we try to return to a place of calm and peaceful surroundings. Sometimes we are blessed with God's grace and make it back to safety.

But other times, God hides His face from us. Sometimes we crash and burn--literally or metaphorically--and take others along with us. Still, we have hope because we have a merciful God.

“For a mere moment I have forsaken you, But with great mercies I will gather you.” (Isaiah 54:7, NKJV).

But even in our wreckage, God's kindness waits to meet us—a kindness that doesn't depend on our decisions, but on His character, His fruit of the Spirit.

The Stillness

Let's change our perspective. Now we consider a different storm, one that occurs at sea with a different crew. You know this story well...

The disciples were experienced fishermen. They knew their fishing waters. They'd seen storms roll in, watched the sky turn dark, felt the first drops of rain.

But not this storm. This storm was different. Waves crashed over the sides. Water filled the boat faster than they could bail it out. They were going to drown.

And there was Jesus, asleep on a cushion in the back of the boat. Not even the claps of thunder overhead disturbed his nap.

"...Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" they shouted (Mark 4:38, NKJV).

Jesus woke up. Arose, and said just three words to the sea: "Peace, be still!"

The wind stopped. The waves went flat. There was stillness.

Then Jesus turned to them. "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" (Mark 4:40, NKJV).

Think again about the Flight 352 crew that ignored air traffic control and flew straight into the storm. They made a poor choice that cost the lives of 85 people.

And sometimes, we do the same. When we blatantly defy God—when we ignore His voice and charge ahead in our pride—we feel His wrath. God hides His face. Not due to cruelty, but because pruning is necessary.

Sometimes His discipline leaves a lasting mark. Sometimes it destroys us. The consequences are severe because our folly is great.

But the disciples had something that many don't have. They had Jesus in the boat. And that changes how God saw them.

Jesus didn't hide His face. He was there in the storm with them. When they cried out in terror, He answered. He calmed the wind, the waves, and their fears.

The Lesson

So what did this story teach us about God's kindness? For me, the lesson is that His kindness can calm the storms of life, or He will be present when we are in them. Jesus will get in the boat, on the plane, in the car. He will be with us whether we are on wheels or on foot.

The Holy Spirit stays with us. And when the storms rage, His face is toward us, not away.

God's kindness always outlasts the storm for those who believe.

“Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses.
He calms the storm, So that its waves are still.” (Psalm 107:28-29, NKJV)

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your kindness that never fails, even when we fail You. Forgive us for the times we've ignored Your voice and charged into storms of our own making. Help us to cry out to You when the waves threaten to overwhelm us. Remind us that You are in the boat with us—that Your face is turned toward us, not away. Calm our fears, Lord. Calm the storms around us or give us the strength to endure them. We trust in Your everlasting kindness. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Related Fruit of the Spirit Posts:

• Kindness in the Bible

• A Gentle Spirit Before God: A Story

• Introduction to Fruit of the Spirit Blog