The Storm Is Not Always from the Devil

Introduction

Storms are part of life. Whether literal or figurative, storms represent those difficult moments when everything seems out of control. Many immediately attribute storms to the devil, assuming that every trial or adversity must come from him. While the enemy certainly brings attacks, the truth is deeper: not every storm is satanic. Some storms are allowed—or even sent—by God to shape us, teach us, and align us with His purpose.

The Word of God reveals that storms can serve as tools for correction, direction, and perfection. Let us explore this truth together.

1. Storms of Correction

At times, storms come because of disobedience. God allows them to bring us back into alignment with His will.

Think of Jonah. The Lord commanded him to go to Nineveh, but he chose to flee in the opposite direction. His disobedience brought a storm upon the ship.

“But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.”
—Jonah 1:4

This was not the devil’s work. It was the Lord who sent the storm. Jonah’s rebellion triggered divine intervention, not demonic attack. The storm was God’s way of correcting His prophet.

Beloved, some of the storms we face are meant to draw us back to obedience. Instead of rebuking the devil in every storm, we must pause and ask: “Lord, what are You teaching me here?”

2. Storms of Instruction

Sometimes storms are classrooms. God uses trials as teachers to instruct us in faith, patience, and dependence on Him.

The disciples experienced this when Jesus told them to cross the Sea of Galilee.

“And when he entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.”
—Matthew 8:23–24

Notice: the disciples were following Jesus in obedience when the storm came. This storm was not punishment—it was a lesson in trust. The Master was present, asleep in the boat, teaching them that even in the fiercest storm, His presence brings peace.

When they cried out, He arose and calmed the sea.

“Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”
—Matthew 8:26

The lesson? That His authority is greater than the elements, and their faith must rest in Him.

Believers today still learn through storms. God sometimes allows difficult circumstances to deepen our faith and prepare us for greater responsibilities.

3. Storms of Protection

Not every storm is meant to hurt us. Some storms protect us from hidden dangers.

Consider the Israelites at the Red Sea. Pharaoh’s army was closing in, and Israel appeared trapped. Yet the stormy east wind that God sent parted the waters.

“And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.”
—Exodus 14:21

The same stormy wind that could have seemed frightening was the very means of deliverance. What looked like a destructive force was actually their protection from the enemy.

Sometimes God stirs up storms to block harmful paths, remove unhealthy relationships, or shut doors that would lead to destruction. If we look carefully, we may realize that the storm is not against us but for us.

4. Storms of Refinement

Gold must be refined by fire, and faith must be refined by trials. Some storms come to purify us, to strip away self-reliance and deepen our dependence on God.

Peter reminds us:

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus.”
—1 Peter 1:7

The fiery storm is not a curse but a process of transformation. Through challenges, pride is broken, humility is birthed, and our hearts are prepared for greater glory.

The storm you face may be God’s refining fire. Instead of rebuking it, embrace the work He is doing in you.

5. Storms of Revelation

Storms often reveal what is hidden—both in our hearts and about God’s nature.

When Paul was sailing to Rome as a prisoner, a violent storm arose.

“And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”
—Acts 27:20

In that hopeless situation, God revealed His power and His promise. An angel of the Lord assured Paul that he and all aboard would be spared.

“For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.”
—Acts 27:23–24

The storm became a stage for revelation—revealing Paul’s faith, God’s sovereignty, and His ability to preserve life in the face of danger.

In our lives, storms expose our true trust. They uncover whether we rely on ourselves or on God. They also reveal fresh dimensions of His faithfulness.

6. Storms of Elevation

After every storm, there is often promotion. When Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and falsely imprisoned, these experiences were storms in his journey. Yet God used them to position him for elevation.

He testified later:

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
—Genesis 50:20

The storm Joseph faced was not from the devil—it was God’s divine plan unfolding. What others meant for harm became the very platform for his rise.

Your storm may be uncomfortable, but it may also be the pathway to your next season of honor and usefulness.

7. Discernment in the Storm

The challenge for believers is discernment. We must not hastily conclude that every storm is demonic. Instead, we should seek the Lord for understanding. James gives this promise:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
—James 1:5

Before rebuking the storm, pause and ask:

Is this storm correcting me?
Is it teaching me?
Is it protecting me?
Is it refining me?
Is it revealing something?
Is it preparing me for elevation?

With prayer and humility, we can discern the purpose of our storms.

Conclusion

Beloved, not every storm is from the devil. Some are allowed by God for our good. Jonah’s storm brought correction, the disciples’ storm brought instruction, Israel’s stormy wind brought protection, Peter’s trials brought refinement, Paul’s storm brought revelation, and Joseph’s storm brought elevation.

Storms can be uncomfortable, even terrifying, but when we trust the Lord, we find that every storm has a purpose. As Romans 8:28 reminds us:

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

The next time you face a storm, don’t be quick to fear or to blame the devil. Instead, seek the Lord’s hand in it. For in the midst of the storm, you may find correction, direction, and transformation that lead you closer to your destiny.