Psalm 66:12
12 You have caused men to ride over our heads;
But You brought us out to [a] rich fulfillment.
You may look at the place you are in right now and say, “This is the worst time of my life I have ever been in.” If this is a difficult time for many of you reading this, don’t lose heart. Remember that the sailor who is most trusted is not the one new to sailing, but the one who has weathered many fierce storms of the sea. The person who always seems to be happy without many struggles in life is probably one who has not encountered very many struggles or trials. Its those who have weathered and persevered through the storms of life that are secure, unshaken in their character, and are not surprised by the storms and fires of this life. The storms and fires of life are what mature, equip, and chisel us into becoming the men and women of God He has called us to be. So don’t give up if your in a storm. Don’t lose heart, and don’t become embittered at the storms you are facing. Know that there is purpose in your pain. God is working it for your good and you are growing in the midst of the chaos and pressures. Fix your eyes on Jesus and He will sustain you!
In Mark 4, we see Jesus with the disciples, asleep in a boat in the midst of a raging storm. He could have easily prevented the storm from developing and made the wind and waves remain calm, but I believe He purposely went to sleep until the storm was raging and the waves where pouring into the boat. Instead of falling into fear, all the disciples had to do was cry out to Jesus for Him to calm the storm, or they could have spoken in faith to the wind and waves themselves. Instead, they allowed fear and terror to grip them, woke Jesus, and implored Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing.” Jesus calmed the storm and said, “peace be still”, and said, “Why are you so fearful? How [h] is it that you have no faith?” Jesus was calling them to a higher standard of faith. He tells His disciples in Mark 9 that “anything is possible to Him who believes.” Jesus was trying to get them to see their response to the storm was wrong. Rather than fall into fear and worry, all they had to do was cry out in faith to Jesus.
During the storms of our lives, Jesus does not want us to sink into worry, panic, and fear. Instead He wants us to remember our position in Him, (joint heirs with Christ as we read in Ephesians 1, 2), stand firm on the Word of God and call out to Him in faith and rebuke the winds and waves of the storms of this life. Ultimately, Christ wants us to stand firm during the storms of this life and remain unshaken in our commitment to Him. If you fall into fear, you will not be able to walk in the spirit of power (2 Timothy 1:7), peace, and fulfillment that God has promised for you when you persevere through the storms of life. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, everything has already been accomplished and paid for in order for you to live a life of victory in Christ Jesus and you can live a life of victory, free from the condemnation of sin (Rom. 8:1).
The adverse winds blew against my life;
My little ship with grief was tossed;
My plans were gone–heart full of strife,
And all my hope seemed to be lost–
Then He arose and spoke–one word of peace.
There was a calm;–a sweet release.
*Some inspiration taken from Streams In The Dessert by L.B. Cowman
If you don’t know how to cry out to Jesus or if you need prayer or help with understanding who God is, please message me at unshakabledestinybook@gmail.com
I really want to help you. Please reach out to me if you need help or have questions!
