Their Eyes Were Watching God

In Chapter 16, Janie had tried to de-friend a woman named Mrs. Turner. Mrs. Turner is a light-skinned black woman who practically worships white people. She likes Janie because of her white characteristics and hates Tea Cake because he is dark-skinned. Mrs. Turner wants Janie to marry her light brother. In the book, it says that Mrs. Turner's God is white characteristics. It is all she cares about, and she puts everything into looking white and praising white people. Janie, on the other hand, has put everything into Tea Cake. Tea Cake is Janie's God. She wants to be whatever Tea Cake wants her to be.
"All gods who receive homage are cruel. All gods dispense suffering without reason. Otherwise they would not be worshiped... Real gods require blood." (pg. 170) This quote shows that when you put everything into one altar, there must be some sort of sacrifice for it. This is why it says that real gods require blood. Some sort of blood will have to be spilt.
In Chapter 18, the hurricane comes. Tea Cake and Janie did not leave, despite the rumors of a hurricane. Tea Cake has parties and pretty much decides that there is no danger for him. When the storm hits, Janie, Tea Cake, and Motor Boat are all huddled inside. Tea Cake asks Janie if she would have rather stayed in her big house, and not here with Tea Cake. Janie said she wouldn't be upset, even if she died in this hurricane because Tea Cake is what she has been looking for all her life. She has found this mutual love she had always wanted.
The three of them are seeking refuge in their shanty from the storm outside. "Their eyes straining against crude walls and their souls asking if He meant to measure their puny might against His. They seems to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God." (pg 187) It is the humans against God and nature. Janie and Tea Cake are in love with each other, and this helps them get through the hurricane. Their safety is out of their hands, and they are looking to God to help them, the same God that set this hurricane upon them. This hurricane is the sacrifice they have to face.