Paul and Gail Cline desperately clung to one another in their London, Kentucky, home as a violent tornado reduced it to splinters. Each one refusing to let go of the other, they both lost an arm as the brutal winds pulled them apart. AccuWeather reports their incredible survival.
The same article tells how Tara Hollifield’s internet was down, so the only warning she got was the storm’s roar just before it hit. Dashing toward her toddler’s room, the twister tossed her into the air. Getting up from the blow, she feared the worst. Miraculously, she found little Parker alive, buried under the rubble.
Our hearts cheer to hear these wonderful survival stories. Sadly, not everyone in London, Kentucky, was as fortunate. At least 19 people were killed in the May 16 tornado that struck the town, according to Fox News. And that was just one of several deadly tornadoes that hit the country between May 16 and May 22.
A recent headline from The Weather Channel states, “A deadly severe weather outbreak spawned at least one tornado in 22 states from May 15–22.” So far, 2025’s tornado season has been above average, seeing around 700 twisters. According to the National Weather Service, the top five years with the most tornadoes have all been after the year 2000—one wonders, with all the recent storms, where 2025 will end up in the rankings.
Jesus said that an increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters would signify His soon return (Matthew 24:7, 8). One thing that most can agree on is that the signs in the natural world keep piling up.
The Original Storm Bringer
Before this world began, a storm began brewing in the heart of Lucifer, a perfect angel who stood next to the throne of God (Ezekiel 28:14, 15). Eventually, the winds in his heart burst forth as open rebellion (Isaiah 14:13, 14; Revelation 12:7). He began pushing “merchandise” in heaven, so God cast him out along with those who had joined him (Ezekiel 28:16; Revelation 12:9). Lucifer became known as Satan—the adversary.
So, what was Satan’s “merchandise”? The lies he began telling about God, “for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). He used the same deceptions with the first humans, portraying God as a selfish tyrant who cannot be trusted (Genesis 3:1–6). His tactics worked, and the winds of strife have blown in our world ever since.
The Great Flood
Centuries after humanity granted Satan access to this world, things got so bad that “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. … the earth was filled with violence. … for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” (Genesis 6:5, 11, 12). This saddened God, but He provided a solution.
To prevent humanity from utterly destroying itself, God would flood the entire earth while offering a way of escape to everyone who would entrust their lives to Him (Genesis 6:13, 14). His prophet Noah preached for 120 years with little response (v. 6:3). Tragically, only eight people got on the ark that Noah built, but God saved all eight through the storm (1 Peter 3:20).
Satan’s Power Over Nature
Natural disasters are often referred to as “acts of God.” What many don’t realize is that Satan, too, can cause disasters in the natural world when God permits.
The book of Job recounts the story of how Satan used both fire and wind to destroy Job’s family, livestock, and possessions (vv. 1:16, 19). These disasters were even ignorantly credited to God (v. 16).
Might the adversary still be wreaking havoc in the same way today while tempting us to blame God?
Our Storm Shelter
The recent tornadoes wrecked a vast amount of property and cut dozens of lives short. Additionally, many of the survivors are dealing with severe mental and emotional ramifications. It’s jolting, to put it lightly, to suddenly lose things like homes, possessions, and family members that gave them comfort and a sense of security.
Are the victims blaming God and turning away from Him? Or looking to Him for answers and hope?
Let’s pray that it’s the latter.
The day after London, Kentucky, was hit, there was a beacon of hope—one man walked among the wreckage, shouldering a wooden cross, looking for people to pray with. Dan Beasley, visiting from Michigan, wanted to let the community know that “God is with them and He is never going to abandon them.”
God didn’t start the storm this world is going through, but He offers shelter to all. Despite Satan’s accusations, God is faithful, trustworthy, and true. If we turn to Him, like Paul and Gail Cline, Tara Hollifield and baby Parker, God will save us alive through the storm.
“For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall” (Isaiah 25:4).
Watch Pastor Doug’s sermon “A Storm Shelter.”