Thunder and Lightning - Devotions from the Road of Life

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5: 1-18, KJV

Thunder rattled the house, and the little girl shrieked. Her ear-piercing yell sounded for long seconds after the thunder faded, but her panicked look remained. 

“Why are you yelling?” I asked. “The thunder won’t hurt you.” We had tried the “angels bowling in heaven and one of them got a strike” routine in the past, to no avail. She still emitted a shrill scream whenever she heard thunder.

“But it’s so loud,” she explained. “It scares me because it’s so loud.”

I sent a quick prayer for guidance heavenward. At five years of age, she was impressionable and I didn’t want to cause any problems or needless fear for her. An intelligent child, she is very curious and with a bent toward science. 

“What do you know about what causes thunder?” I asked.

“Lightning flashes and makes the thunder boom.”

“That’s right. So if you hear the thunder, you know that the lightning bolt is past. The lightning is what can hurt you. The thunder can’t. So how about when you hear the thunder, you say ‘Thank you, Lord’ to let Jesus know you appreciate him keeping you safe?”

She thought about the situation for a moment.

“I’ll try,” she agreed. Sure enough, although she jumped with the next big boom, she gave thanks instead of screaming. Then she turned to me with a big smile.

“I like that better,” she said. 

Too often, we let the noise of the world drown out the love that God sends us. We react to the situation, not the Creator. When that happens, we miss the opportunity to praise Him for bringing us through the situation. Maybe we should stop yelling and start thanking.

Months later, she is still thanking Him instead of shrieking.

I’ll bet Jesus likes that better, too.

Father, thank You for Your love. Thank You for the natural phenomena you’ve set into place. Help us to remember to praise You in everything and give thanks for Your goodness in all circumstances. You are sovereign. You are righteous. You are our loving Father. Amen.