“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?’” – Mark 4:39-41
Jesus told His disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side.”
Warning, there’s a storm up ahead, but Jesus will show you how to stay dry.
So in obedience, the disciples got into the boat, and set sail out onto to the waters.
I could imagine all the disciples being so excited for what was up next for them, probably talking about how cool Jesus was as the refreshing sea breeze blew through their hair.
Maybe they even saw a beautiful sunset on the horizon as they headed towards their destination.
I’m sure life in that moment seemed perfect as they reminisced about the miracles Jesus had just performed, snacking on the leftover fish and bread.
Little did they know however that their intended destination would have some bumps along the way.
Mark 4:37 says, “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?'”
Do You Ever Feel Trapped?
Maybe you have a situation, a relationship, an illness, or a huge trial that’s making you feel as if you’re right in the middle of a huge storm with nowhere to go.
That’s exactly how the disciples felt as the waves of the storm started to rock their boat.
Not only were they overwhelmed, afraid and worried they weren’t going to make it, but they saw their Lord and Savior sound asleep.
They thought He didn’t care about them, or about what they were going through.
But praise God they were wrong!
Jesus woke up, calmed the storm, and rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith.
Not only did He still the waves raging all around them, He also got them to their intended destination, which was the other side of the lake.
Life here on earth will have storms, brothers and sisters.
Sometimes we can avoid them, but other times we’ll find ourselves trapped without anywhere else to go.
Immediately our flesh tells us to panic, run away, worry, and be afraid.
But just like the disciples, our Savior Jesus Christ is on the boat with us. He’s able to instantly speak, “peace, be still,” in every situation, to calm the storms of life around us.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
How Trials for Christians Are Different
Everyone experiences trials in life but as Christians, God promises us that He will give us the strength we need to get through them.
We’re not alone, brothers and sisters! If our God is for us, then no one can be against us!
We need to keep our eyes on our lifeguard Jesus Christ, because our lifeguard walks on water.
As His followers, we are to stand firm in His strength.
We’re to trust and believe that if He said we’ll get to the other side, then we will!
It’s so easy to jump ship. It’s easy to allow fear and stress to hinder our walks with the Lord, but we can’t quit.
We can’t run away from God’s will for our lives when it becomes less comfortable than what we imagined.
Just as God is with us for the long haul, we also need to stay committed to Him. We need to keep pressing forward no matter what comes our way.
We do have hope in the midst of the storm because Jesus is holding us securely in the center of it, right in the very eye. That is the safest place we can be.
Remember that storms only last for a season!
They’re necessary in our lives to prepare us, mature us, teach us, and show us just how powerful our God truly is.
God Isn’t Sleeping
As Christians we need to remember that if God wills something in our lives, regardless of what it is, then He will give us everything thing we need to get through it.
Sometimes when we trust in God, we may “feel” defeated. But we will not “be” defeated because the Bible promises us that, “no weapon formed against us will prosper!” (Is. 54:17)
God is not asleep, brothers and sisters! He is paving our way before us. God is in full and complete control of every aspect of our lives.
The Lord is your light and your salvation, praise Him in the storms of life, and allow His glorious light to shine through the darkness surrounding you.
As Walt Whitman said, “Keep your face always to the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you.”
God does have a good plan for you and will come to your rescue! “Peace, be still,” He will speak over you, not allowing the waves of life to overpower you.
No matter how difficult the road to eternal life may be, let’s purpose in our hearts to believe that our Almighty God can do anything! Nothing is impossible for Him.
Although our hearts may at times be torn, let’s raise our hands in adoration to our Jesus, and praise Him in every storm.
This was just the message I needed for today!
Thanks for the encouragement…
Thank you so much for your reply Angelica! I love how our God is so personal with us and promises to meet us where we’re at…when we seek Him, we do find Him! Praying you stay anchored in Him and His Word during the storms you’re in! He will get you through them; hang in there!! God bless you!
This was just the message I needed for today!
Thanks for the encouragement…
Thank you so much for your reply Angelica! I love how our God is so personal with us and promises to meet us where we’re at…when we seek Him, we do find Him! Praying you stay anchored in Him and His Word during the storms you’re in! He will get you through them; hang in there!! God bless you!
Fantastic word for today! This is one of those devotionals that we need to print out and read from time to time; and that song at the end…beautiful! How can I share this on FB, besides copying and pasting?
Hi Lupie, thank you so much for your encouraging words! I agree! Sometimes when we’re in a trial we forget God’s promises and that He’s got everything under control. I too struggle when the waves are crashing but God is so good to His kids and always lifts our head back up when we’re feeling discouraged and overwhelmed.
Thank you so much for wanted to share it! =]
To add it to your Facebook, you can either click the blue “Like” button for Facebook at the top of this webpage and add a comment along with it if you’d like, or you can copy paste the URL like you suggested onto the status of your Facebook account.
I’ll be praying that God blesses you and brings these verses and encouraging words to remembrance when the difficulties in life come! =] Hang onto your Jesus no matter what! He will always be “your ever present help in time of need.” (Psalm 46:1)
Fantastic word for today! This is one of those devotionals that we need to print out and read from time to time; and that song at the end…beautiful! How can I share this on FB, besides copying and pasting?
Hi Lupie, thank you so much for your encouraging words! I agree! Sometimes when we’re in a trial we forget God’s promises and that He’s got everything under control. I too struggle when the waves are crashing but God is so good to His kids and always lifts our head back up when we’re feeling discouraged and overwhelmed.
Thank you so much for wanted to share it! =]
To add it to your Facebook, you can either click the blue “Like” button for Facebook at the top of this webpage and add a comment along with it if you’d like, or you can copy paste the URL like you suggested onto the status of your Facebook account.
I’ll be praying that God blesses you and brings these verses and encouraging words to remembrance when the difficulties in life come! =] Hang onto your Jesus no matter what! He will always be “your ever present help in time of need.” (Psalm 46:1)
Thank you for the encouragement. The storm is here, and I am waiting for my rainbow. God is good.
Amen Phyllis!
I am right there with you in the waiting….for storms to pass, for promises to be fulfilled and for a breakthrough in my prayers for my loved ones.
I praise and thank God for your reminder that the rainbow will come…and that no matter what…our God is good! The light at the end of our trials will one day shine right on through the darkness…and ultimately we will one day cross our finish line into heaven! =]
Do you have a go to verse that keeps you encouraged in the midst of a storm?
One of my favorites is: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
It is so encouraging to know that we are not alone in our trials, temptations and struggles. Other brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world have gone through and are currently going through what we are, and Jesus Christ Himself is right there with us, holding our hands and interceding on our behalf! =]
I love how God knows what we can handle, and what our breaking points are…
So it allows me to hang in there, and trust that if He has given His seal of approval, then I can get through whatever comes my way. And when the waves crash and my world starts to shake…whatever I feel cannot handle…I know I can handle in His strength, with His grace and through Him. =]
God bless you Phyllis! Praying for you!
Thank you for the encouragement. The storm is here, and I am waiting for my rainbow. God is good.
Amen Phyllis!
I am right there with you in the waiting….for storms to pass, for promises to be fulfilled and for a breakthrough in my prayers for my loved ones.
I praise and thank God for your reminder that the rainbow will come…and that no matter what…our God is good! The light at the end of our trials will one day shine right on through the darkness…and ultimately we will one day cross our finish line into heaven! =]
Do you have a go to verse that keeps you encouraged in the midst of a storm?
One of my favorites is: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
It is so encouraging to know that we are not alone in our trials, temptations and struggles. Other brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world have gone through and are currently going through what we are, and Jesus Christ Himself is right there with us, holding our hands and interceding on our behalf! =]
I love how God knows what we can handle, and what our breaking points are…
So it allows me to hang in there, and trust that if He has given His seal of approval, then I can get through whatever comes my way. And when the waves crash and my world starts to shake…whatever I feel cannot handle…I know I can handle in His strength, with His grace and through Him. =]
God bless you Phyllis! Praying for you!
What a word that is timely!!! Thank you so much as my heart has been fed with POWER!
Amen Misscherriej! How great is our God! So thankful He has spoken to you and encouraged you in your walk with Him is such a powerful way! =]
What a word that is timely!!! Thank you so much as my heart has been fed with POWER!
Amen Misscherriej! How great is our God! So thankful He has spoken to you and encouraged you in your walk with Him is such a powerful way! =]