Trusting God in a Storm: What a Hailstorm Taught Me About Control, Faith, and Fear

Sometimes faith is tested not in the big life decisions, but in a moment you never saw coming—a flash storm on a quiet drive, sudden car damage under golf ball–sized hail. This week, I found myself in one of those moments, and it exposed more in me than I expected.

The Storm

As Kevin and I were driving home from Fort Collins on the I-80, it began to rain. I was driving and feeling a little uneasy. Very quickly, cars in front of us began to slow down, turn on their hazard lights, and pull off to the side.

I slowed too—and suddenly, we heard banging on all sides of the car. Within seconds, I began to panic.

Neither Kevin nor I knew what was happening or what to do.

Kevin realized it before I did:"HAIL!"

Just a few days earlier, one of our neighbors had mentioned that Laramie can get large, golf ball–sized hail that dents cars. I remember being appalled... but I didn’t really take it to heart. It was one of those things you hear about but never expect to experience.

Yet here we were—five days into living here, on our very first outing to Colorado—and we were getting absolutely plummeted (watch the hailstorm reel here!)

When Fear Takes Over

I was freaking out. The hail was getting larger and more aggressive. It slammed into the windshield, the roof, the sides of the car. It was loud—like we were being shot at by a machine gun.

I started sobbing, almost hyperventilating. There was nothing we could do.

I was terrified the hail would shatter the windshield—or even the roof—and strike us.

I was scared another vehicle would rear-end us in the chaos, with the low visibility and slick road.

And yet… never once did I give it to God.

I lived that moment in fear and in worry. Not a word of Scripture came to mind. No peace that surpasses understanding. Only the overwhelming realization that control was being taken from me.

The closest I got to trust was begging in desperation:

“God PLEASE make it stop. PLEASE. Please don’t let us get hurt. Please don’t let the car break, God.”

But it didn’t stop.

The windshield cracked.Then another crack.Then another.

Dents began appearing all over the car.

There was no relenting.

This felt like what the end times depict—a hailstorm unhinged. No fortress to run to. No covering.

No way of telling when or how it would end.

Damage was being done second by second...

and we were helpless to stop it.

Kevin was urging me to move the car or drive forward, but I didn’t want to. I was paralyzed by fear.

Eventually… it slowed. I began to drive again. But the damage was done—to the car, and honestly, to my soul.

Anxiety.

Panic.

Shock.

I didn’t expect something like this to happen to us—Let alone did I expect to react like that.

It’s been 24 hours, and my body is still in fight-or-flight mode. A creaking door makes me jump. My heart pounds. My breathing quickens. I’ve felt that buzzing sensation all day, where it’s hard to tell if it’s anxiety or excitement. This time, it’s anxiety.

Oh Lord—where did the Spirit go?

It’s when faith is tested that we realize our true need for dependence and trust—that control isn’t ours. And what is our reaction when that becomes evident?

This reminds me of the moment in Scripture when Jesus calms the storm. He and His disciples were in a boat, and as He slept, a windstorm swept over the lake. The disciples panicked, crying out,

“Master, Master, we are perishing!”

Jesus woke up, rebuked the storm, and it stilled. He looked at them and asked:

“Where is your faith?”(Paraphrased from Luke 8:22–25)

We don’t know if the disciples’ boat was damaged—or if they carried fear with them after—but we know this: Jesus rebuked their lack of faith—because He was always in control of the storm.

With His disciples, Jesus calmed the storm and spared them.

And I think it’s important to notice where God spared us, too.

The car, though dented and cracked, did not break. We didn’t get hit. We didn’t crash.

There was mercy there.

In trials, rather than focusing on the damage, it is important to focus on the mercies of the Lord.

Do we not know that God is good—all the time?

Even in very real, stormy trials,

He is working all things together for good

for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28).

Truth doesn’t change in a storm—and trusting God in a storm is only possible when we anchor ourselves in that truth. My reaction that day was convicting. It exposed a lack of faith I didn’t realize was still hiding in me. I may not know why God allowed us to get caught in that hailstorm… or why He allowed the car to take such an expensive hit. But He knows.

And if nothing else, this greater awareness of my lack of faith may be exactly what He needed me to see.

This moment showed me that my faith wasn’t yet

strong enough for trusting God in a storm— but

that’s the kind of faith God desires for us.

Did I expect God to work through a hailstorm?

No.

But He did.

Because God knows, He always does.

I'd Love to Hear from You:

Have you ever had a moment that exposed more fear than faith? How did God meet you in it?

Let’s remind each other that He is near—even in the storm.

About the Author

Grace Harvey

Hi, I'm Grace!

I created Beat the Culture based on John 17 when I was only 19 years old, a baby believer, with a heart that wanted to please the Lord and encourage other's to do the same. Now at 23, I am currently attending Shepherds Theological Seminary alongside my husband, with goals to become equipped for further women's ministry. I pray that Beat the Culture would educate and encourage you to live for Christ and grow in godliness as it has done for me through the creation of it.

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