When natural disasters strike—earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or wildfires—it’s common to hear them called “Acts of God.” But how do we think about these events biblically? In Romans 8:18-28, the Apostle Paul offers insight into the nature of suffering and the hope that believers have amidst the storms of life.
While this passage is not directly about weather events, these verses provide a theological framework for understanding all suffering, including natural disasters. There is clarity in scripture about storms and suffering. God has given us sufficient truth in His Word to understand this.
The Source of All Storms (v. 19-22)
Paul begins by setting our present suffering in the context of eternity: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). While these words offer comfort, they also point us toward an important truth about the nature of storms and suffering—they were never part of God’s original plan for creation.
In verses 19-22, Paul explains that creation itself was subjected to futility because of sin. Before the Fall, the world was in perfect harmony, free from destruction, disease, and death. Earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes are not “natural” disasters at all; rather, they are UNnatural. They are the groans of a broken world, bending under the weight of a sin-sick, fallen world.
Creation itself is longing for redemption, just as we are. These storms–both literal and figurative–are a result of living in a fallen world, not because God delights in destruction.
But there is hope! This is not how God intended for things to be. Sin may have corrupted creation, but God sent His Son Jesus to redeem us and set things right. Storms are temporary. The Bible speaks of a new heaven and a new earth, which will be free from storms, destruction and sin.
The Source of Our Sorrow (v. 23)
Verse 23 shifts the focus from creation’s groaning to our own. “We ourselves…groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Believers experience a sorrow deep in our souls, because we know that things are not as they should be. Even those who don’t know Christ have an innate sense that something is wrong with the world, for they, too, were made in the image of God.
It’s okay to feel sorrow and to empathize with the pain around us. Whether we are dealing with personal tragedies, societal suffering, or global disasters, the sorrow we feel is part of living in a sin-sick world that is waiting to be made new. But this sorrow, as Paul reminds us, is temporary.
The Source of Our Strength (v. 24-28)
How do we find strength in the midst of the storm? Paul points us to three key sources of hope in Romans 8:24-28:
- The Promise of God (v. 24): Biblical hope is not in what can be seen, but the assurance of things we have not yet fully seen. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” We live with the certainty that God will keep His promises as He always does. The storms we face now, whether literal or figurative, will one day give way to an eternity free from pain and suffering.
- The Presence of God (v. 25-27): We are never alone in the storm. Paul writes that the Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness. When we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit prays for us with groanings too deep for words. The Holy Spirit is our constant companion, guiding and comforting us even in the darkest moments.
- The Purposes of God (v. 28): “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” This is not karma. It’s not that good things happen to good people or that bad things happen as punishment. Instead, it means that God is sovereignly working through all circumstances for His glory and our ultimate good. God receives glory and honor when we reflect Him in our circumstances—all circumstances, good or bad. This reflects His Glory to a lost and dying world.
How Does God Use Storms?
Throughout scripture, we see that God often uses storms and disasters to accomplish His purposes. Consider these three ways that God uses storms:
- To Display His Power: Psalm 29:3-10 describes the voice of the Lord thundering over the waters and breaking the cedars. Storms remind us of God’s immense power and might. Even nature is under His control.
- To Bring Judgment: While it’s important not to jump to conclusions about specific storms being divine punishment, scripture does show that God sometimes uses disasters as judgment. The flood in Noah’s time is a prime example (Genesis 6-9). However, we must be cautious when applying this idea to current events. Ultimately, all storms are part of the general judgment of sin, but not necessarily specific to particular groups or individuals.
- To Bring Repentance and Grow Faith: It’s easy to praise God on the mountaintop, but what about in the valley? God uses storms to prune away our sinful desires and selfishness and grow our faith in Him. In the story of Jonah, a storm leads the prophet to repentance and obedience. In Mark 4:37-41, Jesus calms the storm and grows the disciples’ faith. Storms can redirect our focus to God and remind us that He is in control.
Focus on the Savior, Not the Storm
In Mark 4, when the disciples were terrified in the storm, Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith. Their fear was misplaced; they were focused on the power of the storm instead of the power of their Savior. We, too, must remember to focus on Christ, not the storm. He is sovereign over all things, and no storm—whether a natural disaster or personal crisis—can separate us from His love.
So, how do we respond to the storms of life? We trust in the promise, presence, and purposes of God. While the world around us groans under the weight of sin, we look forward to the day when God will make all things new. Until then, we endure the storms, knowing that the temporary afflictions of this world are nothing compared to the glory that is to come.