How to Spiritually Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane
Believing God's Promises as the Waters Rise
As a lifelong Floridian, I have seen my share of hurricanes. I’ve witnessed the power and devastation of storms. I’ve watched as neighbors' roofs were ripped off and driven through towns utterly flattened by spin-off tornadoes. As I write this, we are under a Hurricane Watch and have begun the final steps of preparing our home. One aspect of preparation I want to address here is the need to spiritually prepare your family for a storm.
While a hurricane or nasty weather can devastate us physically, we often ignore the emotional and spiritual toll that events like these take on our families.
Prepare your Heart
Believe God is In Control
Psalm 135:6-7
The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
The first step in spiritual preparation is to remind yourself—and others—that God is in control. In Psalm 135, the psalmist clearly states that the Lord governs the weather. Throughout Scripture, there are multiple instances where God uses weather as a means of teaching, judging, and shaping His people.
God not only controls all things but also promises that He works everything for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). This includes when a tree falls on your house or when the insurance company declares everything a total loss. Preparation means believing this truth before you face hardship. It means trusting His promises before you endure trials.
God used storms in the Apostle Paul's life to direct his missionary journey. In Acts 27, while Paul was being transported as a prisoner to Rome, he foresaw that they would encounter a storm. He warned the crew, but they did not listen. As a result, they spent 14 days at sea in a terrible storm. Despite this, God preserved Paul and the crew, enabling them to make a difficult landing on the island of Malta. There, Paul was able to minister to the native people. In the same way, God can use the storms we face as opportunities to advance His kingdom and bless us through the process.
Believe that God Answers Prayer
Believing the promises of God empowers us to pray. We pray, trusting that God can calm the storm. We pray, knowing that He will use the storm for our good. We pray, confident that God will take our cares and anxieties when we cast them on Him. So, take time to pray personally. Pray with your loved ones. Pray for your family. Pray for your neighbors.
Prepare you Home
Prepare your Actual Home
Just because God is in control, and we trust in the power of prayer does not exempt us from physical preparation. When Joseph was in Egypt, he heard from the Lord that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Upon receiving this revelation, Joseph acted as a good steward—not only of his own resources but also of those for whom he was responsible. He took every precaution to care for those around him.
We live in a time of advanced warning. As I write this, we are approximately 48 hours away from the impact of a storm. This provides us with enough time to plan for evacuation, prepare for potential power outages, and face whatever may come.
Here is a link to the steps you need to take to prepare for the storm.
Prepare your Neighbors Home
One of the ways God uses major storms is to enable Christians to show love to their neighbors. He allows afflictions and suffering to enter our lives as a means of preparing us to love and minister to others who are enduring hardships without hope. Christians are meant to be a light on a hill and the salt of the earth.
As you prepare for the storm, take time to check on those around you. Reach out to individuals who may not have family nearby or who live in unsafe conditions. Prepare your heart to serve and love, and look for opportunities to minister to others.
As Southern Baptists, we have a wonderful disaster relief ministry. Here is a link if you would like more information.
Florida Baptist Disaster Relief
Flee the Wrath to Come
I prefer hurricanes to other natural disasters because, despite their dangers, we often receive warnings. Repeatedly, I see stories of individuals who heard the warnings yet did nothing, even though they lived in unsafe conditions. This has led not only to the loss of homes and property but, more importantly, to the loss of life. It is wise to heed these warnings.
With each major storm, God reminds us that this world is not our home, and that this life is not permanent. We live in a world groaning under the weight of sin. Whether we face a storm or death by natural causes, we all need to be spiritually prepared for that day. God has made it clear that all of us have broken His law and will one-day face judgment. Yet, He has provided an evacuation plan for anyone willing to trust Him. Jesus Christ came to endure the pain and punishment we deserve on the cross. He defeated sin, Satan, and the grave when He died and rose again.
The Bible calls us to turn from trusting in ourselves and to place our trust in His Word. Believe that Jesus has made a way of escape. The good news is that when you do this, all the promises I referenced are yours to claim. God can and will use this storm for your good.