I was recently reminded of hurricane preparedness on my way home from a trip. It was a marquee sign on the interstate and I wondered why we were still seeing this message when the end of hurricane season was about to end.

In life, we don’t always know when a storm is going to hit us and we certainly will not have a marquee flashing a warning to be prepared for the oncoming of one. Though storms are inevitable, we can prepare for them, whether they are financial, emotional, physical or relational.

The first thing to understand is we will all face storms in life:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. I Peter 4:12-13 (ESV)

Even though we cannot stop the storms from hitting us, one of the best ways to prepare for them is by daily putting on the armor of God:

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Ephesians 6:13-17

Prayer is a necessary part of our relationship with the Lord but sometimes it seems to be easier to pray more during a crisis. However, God wants us to pray always:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit… Ephesians 6:18

Praying doesn’t guarantee a storm will pass over you. God will either calm the storm or He will calm you during the storm.

No matter how difficult the storm in your life is, if God has promised you anything through His Word, He will follow through:

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19

Finally, once the storm is over, God promises everything will work out for you:

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28