WHEN SUDDEN STORMS COMES
SCRIPTURE:
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:23—27 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Life has numerous storms wrecking it, and causes damages and destruction. Life storms has claimed many victims at its wake. Some storms comes with warning. Sometimes storms are brewed at the edges of our lives and at least it gives us time to prepare for it. But some storms are undetectable. They come SUDDENLY. Sudden storms are the most difficult to comprehend and understand.
Jesus got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Jesus took the lead into the boat and his disciples followed his lead. But suddenly, FURIOUS STORM came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. My first take away was, I am not immune from the sudden storms in life, EVEN though Christ is in my boat.
This is one truth that I as a disciple must be aware of, it doesn’t matter if Christ is in my life I am not immune from the sudden storm of life. Furious storms comes to life in WAVES not just one wave. It will continue to rock my boat or my life and cause panic and fear. There are a couple of responses that we can learn from Jesus how to handle SUDDEN STORMS and the WAVES that will continue to pound our lives.
- REST IN THE LORD…Jesus was sleeping. Not a welcoming way to deal with damaging storm wrecking our boat. So many times I am like the disciples who freaked out and panic at the sight of problems. No one plans for sudden happenings in our life. I must learn to see Jesus resting. Sometimes one of the most spiritual things to do in the face of sudden storms is to SLEEP AND REST. Rest in the Lord gives you the time to recuperate and set your mind from the shock of a sudden event.
- RECOGNIZED JESUS PRESENCE IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORM…The disciples saw Jesus but did not recognized his power. The recognition of Jesus presence wasn’t fresh in their mind. I have learned never to treat the presence of Jesus in my life daily as a common thing. A sense of Jesus presence must always be something that I must be aware of daily no matter what the circumstance is.
- RECOGNIZED THAT YOU HAVE THE FAITH TO SPEAK AGAINST THE STORM…We speak to our storms and to our faith lacking hearts. Jesus said, YOU OF LITTLE FAITH, WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID? The problem of the disciples is often a common one that we all have. The storm wasn’t there to destroy the disciples. The storm was there to REVEALED their lack of faith. Because even though Christ is present, they still lack the faith to deal with the falling out from the storm. I learn today that I must GROW IN FAITH. I MUST NEVER RESPOND IN FEAR when sudden storm hits life. I must always respond in FAITH OVER FEAR.
APPLICATION:
Recent event that happened in the church reminded me of recognizing Jesus is always present. I often move in fear and panic, but today I am reminded of how to respond to sudden storms in life. I can move in FEAR or I can respond in FAITH. Today, I learn to always know that no sudden storms in life must rocked my life when I recognized that Jesus is present, and that no sudden storms must dictate my life’s direction and purpose.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for reminding me of your constant presence no matter what storms in life that I may face. Please help me to trust in you when sudden storms caught me by surprise. Help me to look for your presence and not look for your absence. Teach me to grow in my faith. Thank you for leading and guiding me through many major challenges in my life. I continue to look to you, for you are my hope and strength. Amen!
