Calm in the middle of the storm!

Word from the Center
Written By Dr. Gregory Seltz

Jesus here declares, “I have told you these things….take heart.” When a person lives life within Christ’s promises and from the perspective of faith, one can have calm in the midst of any storm. Why? Because Jesus literally shares God’s perspective on life with you and speaks God’s promises to you amidst the storms, and that makes all the difference.

To that end, I was reminded of a story. If you’ve ever flown through thunderstorms, it can be nerve racking to say the least. The clouds are ominous. The winds are dangerous. There’s even the chance of the plane being struck by lightning. I’ve had a few travel experiences when the turbulence shook me physically and emotionally. But, very often, right in the middle of the chaos, there was also that amazing moment, that incredible feeling when the plane breaks through that last cloud and the sun shines forth for as far as the eyes can see. Sunshine in the midst of the storm. Relief amidst fear.

A pastor shared a harrowing experience that happened to him and his daughter. They were flying through a severe thunderstorm in the Midwest and, just as things couldn’t seem to get worse, the pilot’s voice came over the intercom assuring the passengers that everything would be alright. Just then, the plane not only broke through the clouds, the plane hit calm air and every passenger was privileged to see a beautiful rainbow that extended from horizon to horizon in the sun-drenched skies. That’s when the man’s four-year-old daughter put everything in perspective and excitedly said, “Daddy! Daddy! Look, it’s a rainbow and we’re seeing it from the same side that God sees it!"

Seeing things from God’s perspective makes all the difference in our lives. In our lesson for today, Jesus speaks of troublesome “storm clouds” caused by the brokenness of the world all around us. Left to our own devices, all we would see are those thunderclouds, lightning strikes, wind, and rain, and we would be overwhelmed by them. But, even then, God is in our midst and God is at work to preserve this world and to save it, our very lives included. Jesus makes a bold promise amidst the storm clouds of life. In our reading, He says, “In me, you may have peace.” He provides peace amidst the storms, as well as the “rainbow promise” of His grace amidst the terrors of the moment.

So, as you dwell on your challenges and problems, take time this week to see your life from God’s perspective. Revel in His promise of life eternal for those who put their trust in Him. See your life as He sees it with sins forgiven by the blood of Christ. And then look for other “rainbows promises” of God as well. Jesus gives all of these:

  • “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19).

  • “I am the resurrection and the life; HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME SHALL LIVE EVEN IF HE DIES, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26a).

  • “Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST” (Matthew 12:27).

  • “Ask and IT SHALL BE GIVEN TO YOU; seek and YOU SHALL FIND; knock, AND IT SHALL BE OPENED TO YOU” (Matthew 7:8).

  • “I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

That last one may be the greatest promise of all! In the middle of any of our storms, there can be real calm, real assurance, and real strength. Why? Because for the believer, Jesus Christ is there with you always.

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, help us to see the uniqueness of Your love and the power of Your promises for every day of our lives. AMEN.

See Also
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From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

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February 2026 Bulletin Insert
February 2026 Bulletin Insert

The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

February 2026 Bulletin Blurbs
February 2026 Bulletin Blurbs

The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

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January 2026 Bulletin Blurbs
January 2026 Bulletin Blurbs

The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

January 2026 Bulletin Insert
January 2026 Bulletin Insert

The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

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Today’s verses are Isaiah 35:3-4, where the Bible declares:

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What of it? Things change, and prayers are answered. Just as few predicted the fall of the Soviet Union and the crumbling of the Berlin Wall, we were supposed to think that Roe v. Wade was set in stone, a law surer than the Ten Commandments. Stare decisis, we heard ad nauseam. But in step six wise and courageous judges, and we got the Dobbs decision. Now, that didn't happen by accident. It was a matter of persistent. Persistent prayer, persistent marching, persistent lobbying and electioneering. Why bother? 60 million little ones who have lost their lives. And still counting.

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December 2025 Prayer Partner Thursday

Prayer Partner Thursday provides a month-long prayer emphasis in one of the four Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty areas of emphasis: Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, Educational Freedom, and Marriage as an Institution (family).

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AN “ALL THINGS FOR ALL PEOPLE” SAVIOR – THERE’S ONLY ONE!

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17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross

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Thanksgiving by Presidential Proclamation?

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December 2025 Bulletin Blurbs
December 2025 Bulletin Blurbs

The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.

December 2025 Bulletin Insert
December 2025 Bulletin Insert

The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.

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1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble... 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings…. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act,” says the Lord of hosts.

Getting Involved
Getting Involved

Is it alright for Christians to be involved with politics?

The Bible contains no specific command that either requires or forbids Christian involvement with politics. However, through the prophet Jeremiah, God teaches His people that they should, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf” (Jer. 29:57). In other places, God teaches that Christians should obey and pray for those in positions of civil authority (Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:17; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13). These passages, together with the general biblical teaching that Christians should care for and promote the welfare of their neighbor, would suggest that Christians should participate in the process of deciding how we, as a nation, shall live.

Dr. Gregory Seltz
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