You Are My Calm Amidst the Storm
- Ruth Wacker
- 15 hours ago
- 6 min read
It was one of those crisp, “feels like fall is coming” kind of days on my drive to work… one of those rare, peaceful moments when it truly feels like all is well with the world.
Until it wasn’t.
When I arrived at the tennis club, I was told that one of our long-time members wouldn’t be coming back. While Kevin had been away at his family beach house for the summer, he’d been unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer—and had passed away. My peaceful, calm feeling was suddenly shattered by disbelief and shock.
How can this be? Just months earlier, Kevin was laughing, joking, playing tennis. His daughter was to be married in just a few weeks. Why would God allow this to happen to such a nice, jovial fellow? And with such cruel timing?
Not long after, a co-worker lost her years-long battle with cancer. As a fitness trainer and massage therapist, Carole’s job was to alleviate all our aches and pains from overuse—tennis elbow, shoulder issues, knee pain. In reality, she was the one with the real challenges: exhausting treatments, complications, and insurance struggles. And yet, she never complained. She forged ahead despite her burden.
I didn’t understand. Carole had so much to give. She was selfless. Why would God allow her to suffer so much?
Then, another friend was diagnosed with ocular melanoma and had to have his eyeball removed. Rusty and his wife are part of my line dance family. They were always so cute on the dance floor, teasing and exchanging sweet glances. They are a faith-filled family—active in church, scouting, and family adventures. Why would God put such a kind family through hardship? Why allow them such anguish?
All of this, happening within five months, had me struggling with why God allows bad things to happen to good people.
Why can’t the bad things happen to criminals… people who deserve punishment? I had a hard time making sense of it.
But a popular verse from an unknown source reminds me, “God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain. But He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.”
I have endured a few struggles myself.
In 2000, I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, an extremely rare condition in which a blood vessel presses against a nerve in the skull. It’s referred to as the most painful condition known to man. I struggled to find relief and even contemplated suicide, feeling like a burden to everyone around me.
Then, in 2009, I prayed that my husband would seek treatment for alcoholism. In 2010, I struggled to regain my sense of self-worth after divorce. And in 2022, my worst nightmare came true when it became apparent that my son had inherited my ex-husband’s disease and was struggling with alcohol abuse.
Yet when I think about my life today, I feel truly blessed. In 2002, we found a specialized neurosurgeon who placed a Teflon piece between the blood vessel and nerve in my skull, and I was instantly pain-free. Today, my ex-husband and son are sober and healthy.
I truly love my life—the life God has built with me. I am grateful for my journey and growth.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Although I’ve come across bends in the road—struggles where I couldn’t see the end result—God made my path straight. He was in the passenger seat all along, guiding me, helping me find my way.
I originally wrote the following poem for Rusty, but I feel God nudging me to share it more broadly. Its words remind us that even in the fiercest storms, God’s steady presence surrounds us.
I Am the Eye
By Ruth Wacker
I am the Eye.
Eye of the hurricane.
While it’s swirling, surging, making waves around me,
While it’s merciless, heartless, creating chaos,
I am the Eye.
While it’s ruthless, relentless,
Leaving damage and destruction.
Tempting despair.
I am the Eye.
For “I believe in One God, the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth,
Of all things visible and invisible.”
For what I cannot see, I trust.
Because I am the Eye. Calm.
And “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
I am the Eye. Calm.
Embraced by God.
His love.
His power.
His victory over evil.
I am the Eye.
One eye, many friends.
One eye, big family.
One eye, an Army seeing me through the storm.
Assess, regroup, pray.
Repair, rebuild, pray.
Bonding, conquering.
I am the Eye.
Beauty is in The Eye of the beholder.
Mine Eye has seen the glory of the Lord.
All is calm.
All is bright.
With one Eye.
I am.
The Eye.
The poem echoes what God promises in Scripture: we are never alone, His strength is greater than our fear, and He walks with us even through life’s storms. God wants us to know and feel His love, rejoicing when we call to Him and depend on Him.
Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”Psalm 23:4 adds, “Though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”
Hardships, uncertainties, or even tragedies may come, but our Heavenly Father is always with us. When life feels unfair and bad things happen to good people, I encourage you to repeat these verses. Remember that faith and fear cannot coexist—and choose faith over fear every time.
FOR FURTHER THOUGHT
Sometimes I use a simple calming practice to connect with God’s presence when I feel anxious or overwhelmed. You can try it anywhere:
Sit quietly, eyes closed, hands over your heart. Slow your breathing: inhale 2, 3, 4; exhale 2, 3, 4. Repeat until your breath feels steady.
Imagine Jesus sitting next to you, one hand on yours and the other around your shoulders.
Sense His presence and love filling your heart with peace and calm.
Let that peace flow through your body—from your chest to your hips, legs, and feet.
Relax your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, and forehead.
Continue slow, steady breaths, feeling His warmth and love.
Pull in a favorite scripture about God’s divine protection. Speak or meditate on it, letting the words strengthen your faith and sense of safety. Some examples include:
Psalm 91:1-2 – “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”
Psalm 121:7-8 – “The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 – “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
Each time you pause this way, you can feel God’s peace flooding in, just as Scripture promises. Take a moment for yourself and let His calming presence fill your heart and mind.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, when there’s a storm raging around me and I’m struggling, tossed about by doubt and fear, and drowning in anxiety—please be with me. Hold my hand. When joy and peace prevail, I acknowledge Your powerful, calming presence. Let me feel Your love pouring into my heart. Let me feel Your peace running through my veins. Give me courage. Give me strength. I can’t do this without You. I don’t want to do this without You. You are my Calm amidst the storm, and I know You will never forsake me—not now, not tomorrow, not ever. In every season, help me hold tightly to this truth.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
ABOUT RUTH WACKER
Ruth Wacker is grateful for the journey that has shaped her—from facing a rare debilitating condition and family struggles to navigating divorce—believing each challenge brought her to where she is today. She gives God the glory for guidance, strength, and the people He placed in her life, joking that she’s living proof He exists, because she couldn’t have built her life on her own. Ruth enjoys her work family at a Racquet and Fitness Club, where she coordinates front desk operations and teaches yoga stretch and Pilates, and she loves dancing, country music, and laughter with her line dance friends. A small-town farm girl at heart, she treasures time with her two grown sons and their significant others, and delights in biking, tennis, walking, reading, and writing. Excited about her new church family, Ruth looks forward to serving others and living fully into God’s purpose for her life.
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