Wouldn’t it be nice to live a storm-free life? We watched with horror this weekend as Hurricane Helene went through Florida and up the East Coast. How many Floridians and other states are just weary of hurricanes? I can’t imagine how hard it must be to have a few days warning to pack up, leave one’s home, and drive away to safety, not knowing what will be left when you get home. Now, we learn that many couldn't drive away! Let's not stop praying for all those affected by Helene's effects.
Other types of storms hit us out of left field too. A cancer diagnosis. Stress upon stress at work. Political divisiveness. A loss of a loved one. Betrayal from a friend. An unexpected life-changing illness. Sooner or later, we’re all hit with some type of storm.
Jesus knew about storms. He knew about calming the storm. Check out how he handled the storm in Mark 4:35-41-
“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? “They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!”
The disciples did what we often do! When things get tough around us, we turn to God and say “Don’t you care?” Jesus immediately got up, rebuked the wind, and told the waves to be still. Then, Jesus asked a question: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
God has promised to give us Himself and His peace. John 14:27 says “My peace I give you.” Then, in Isaiah 26:3 it says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You.” The verse in Isaiah has been such a promise to me! He is ready to give me perfect peace as I keep my thoughts fixed on Him! Truly, what would it look like for you and me to have our thoughts fixed on Him throughout the day?
We sabotage our peace when we fixate our minds on all our storms. God’s peace is such a beautiful gift…. what keeps us from receiving this gift? Will we trust God when the waves go over the boat and we feel like we’re going to drown? Jesus does care. He cares more than you’ll know because He loves you so much. May You trust God in the storms that come your way.
“The Lord is near, don’t be anxious about anything. In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7
Jesus knew about storms. He knew about calming the storm. Check out how he handled the storm in Mark 4:35-41-
“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? “They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!”
The disciples did what we often do! When things get tough around us, we turn to God and say “Don’t you care?” Jesus immediately got up, rebuked the wind, and told the waves to be still. Then, Jesus asked a question: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
God has promised to give us Himself and His peace. John 14:27 says “My peace I give you.” Then, in Isaiah 26:3 it says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You.” The verse in Isaiah has been such a promise to me! He is ready to give me perfect peace as I keep my thoughts fixed on Him! Truly, what would it look like for you and me to have our thoughts fixed on Him throughout the day?
We sabotage our peace when we fixate our minds on all our storms. God’s peace is such a beautiful gift…. what keeps us from receiving this gift? Will we trust God when the waves go over the boat and we feel like we’re going to drown? Jesus does care. He cares more than you’ll know because He loves you so much. May You trust God in the storms that come your way.
“The Lord is near, don’t be anxious about anything. In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7
Take a Listen:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjx1ehd5LhM
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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