Extreme weather and storms of life test our faith, but ‘there’s a place to turn,’ says pastor
Extreme weather and storms of life test our faith, but 'there's a place to turn,' says pastor Fox News
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A Pastor’s Message of Hope and Healing Amidst Storms
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-being
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Climate Action
- Life Below Water
- Life on Land
- Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Partnerships for the Goals
A pastor, faith leader, husband, and father shared an urgent message of hope and healing for all those struggling through the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Milton, Hurricane Helene, and other types of storms in life that perhaps others can’t see.
“The Bible is very clear that we will face trials of many different kinds, including both literal and metaphorical storms (James 1:2-4),” Pastor Jesse Bradley of Auburn, Washington, told Fox News Digital.
“Storms are devastating and steal what is most valuable to us,” he added. “Storms break our hearts and humble us. Storms also remind us of how much we need God’s help.”
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“God’s grace and faithfulness make the difference in the storm — and we will overcome them together.”
Bradley is senior pastor at Grace Community Church outside Seattle. He is also founder of the Just Choose Hope ministry (justchoosehope.org).
Bradley recounted a relevant passage from scripture that has long comforted scores of faithful.
“The disciples were in the boat when the furious squall approached and terrified them,” he said.
“Jesus, the Savior of the World, was still in the boat with them. God is always with us and nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus.”
Added Bradley, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Our faith often needs to catch up with this fact. Draw near to God because God’s greatest gift is His presence.”
“There is hope greater than our pain and loss.”
The pastor said that the “best response” in a storm of any kind is to “seek and trust the Messiah — and care for others” who are hurting as well.
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“The death and resurrection of Jesus remind us that the most extreme trials are not the end of the story,” said Bradley. “Jesus has power over death, despair, darkness, and the devil. While the enemy intends evil, God will prevail with His goodness.”
Bradley said that, at times, “grieving is necessary. But there is hope greater than our pain and loss. Ultimately, heaven is our home — and Jesus prepares a place for us there.”
He said a prayer recited regularly by millions is worth recalling.
“In the Lord’s Prayer, we ask God to please give us our daily bread. As we care for one another and have opportunities to be generous, God’s love is experienced through these gifts.”
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“We become God’s instruments of healing as we share with those who are in need right now.”
He also said, “We don’t take our blessings for granted, but continue forward with gratitude and make a difference with a tangible presence and fervent prayers.”
Reflecting on some of the extreme weather events of recent weeks as well as the many other types of struggles people are experiencing, Bradley said, “The hurricanes remind us that we need to unite with God and one another. Jesus still calms the storms inside of us. These trials will pass, but our relationship with God is everlasting.”
He advised others, “Decide to follow Jesus through the fiercest storms. We do have a place that we can turn.”
He added, “We cry out to our faithful God — a rock and an anchor for our souls.”
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He added, “We cry out to our faithful God — a rock and an anchor for our souls.”
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social, and environmental shocks and disasters.
- SDG 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
- SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- SDG 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- SDG 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
- SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 1.5: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
- Indicator for SDG 2.1: Prevalence of undernourishment.
- Indicator for SDG 3.4: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
- Indicator for SDG 5.5: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments.
- Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator for SDG 11.5: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
- Indicator for SDG 13.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
- Indicator for SDG 16.3: Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism.
- Indicator for SDG 17.17: Number of countries that have national statistical legislation that complies with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | SDG 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social, and environmental shocks and disasters. | Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. |
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | SDG 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round. | Prevalence of undernourishment. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life. | Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | SDG 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations. | Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | Number of countries that have national statistical legislation that complies with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. |
Source: foxnews.com
