I happened to grow up in a part of Australia that was subject to cyclones (the Southern Hemisphere equivalent of hurricanes). I once saw the roof of a neighboring house ripped off by the ferocious winds and pieces thrown high up into the air. But I never experienced the velocity of hurricanes that have plagued Florida and the Caribbean.

King Duncan reported how he had always thought of hurricanes as something mankind could do without. “But,” said Duncan, “recently I learned that they are necessary to maintain a balance in nature. These tropical storms, with winds up to 150 miles an hour and accompanied by torrential rains, glaring lightning, and rumbling thunder, can be devastating. Yet scientists tell us they are tremendously valuable. They dissipate a large percentage of the oppressive heat which builds up at the equator, and they are indirectly responsible for much of the rainfall in North and South America. Meteorologists therefore no longer use cloud-seeding techniques to prevent them from being formed. They are convinced that hurricanes actually do more good than harm.”²

Forest fires are also necessary for the health of forests. And often we need hard times in our lives, even though they bring temporary distress, as God allows them to help us grow and become stronger Christians—”strong in character and ready for anything.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, when trials and tribulations seem more than I can bear, please help me to learn the lesson you are seeking to teach me, and through these afflicting circumstances help me to grow and become strong in character and ready for anything. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. James 1:3-4 (NLT).

2. King Duncan of www.sermons.com.