5 Lessons from Noah to Help us Endure Life’s Storms: Insights and Encouragements for the IRCS Community
The Biblical account of Noah tells us he spent 370 difficult days on the ark, enduring loss, isolation, and a storm that wiped away nearly everything familiar. While many imagine he felt relief, the reality was much more like Job’s sorrow. He lost friends, extended family, and his home. The flood was devastating, but Noah and his family survived by trusting in God.
Here are five lessons from Genesis 8 to help us endure life’s storms:
- God is Paying Attention – Genesis 8:1 says God “remembered Noah,” meaning He was watching closely. Just as a parent watches their child, God is always paying attention to us, especially in our hardest moments.
- Noah was Patient – Noah waited, trusting in God’s timing. Patience, as we see in Scripture, is a mark of love and faith. It helps us endure by focusing on what God is doing rather than what we want.
- Noah was Persistent – Noah worked while he waited, staying active and faithful. His persistence reminds us that even in uncertainty, we can keep moving forward.
- God Keeps His Promises – God made promises to Noah, and He kept them. Noah’s feelings may have been as turbulent as the storm, but he held onto God’s unchanging character and promises.
- Noah Offered Praise – After the storm, Noah praised God. When we praise Him for who He is—faithful, loving, and wise—our hearts are opened to see how He is working in our lives, even in the midst of pain.
Frederick Buechner said, “Even the saddest things can become… a source of wisdom and strength.” Community is essential in navigating life’s storms to find wisdom and strength, and the local church is the best place to find it. If you’re not connected to one, join me and my family at Indian Rocks Church on Sundays at 9 or 10:45.
Like Noah, with patience, persistence, faith, and the support of a community, we can endure life’s challenges.
