Jesus tells us:  “In this world you will have trouble … but take heart, I have overcome the world.”

And He has.

But in the writings of Mark, even the most obedient and loyal disciples found themselves in a storm.

Mark 4 35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 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?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Sometimes I am guilty of asking God, “why me?”

Sometimes WHEN I am walking in the right direction, I feel punished.  But God isn’t at our beck and call.  And, thankfully, He doesn’t bless us when we do well and curse us when we don’t.

The reality is that we will walk into, and be overwhelmed by, storms.

And the storms challenge us in every way … especially when we let them.

True, we can not control the storm itself.

But we can control the way we react to it.

Take the disciples … they became overcome with fear, and even doubted their ability to get to the other side.

But Jesus had told them:  “Let’s go to the other side”

So they knew they were going there with a man who had already proven Himself.  And the fact that He was sleeping was not inspiring to them — but it should have been.

Jesus isn’t sleeping through your storm.  He isn’t callous to it.  And He isn’t punishing you.

The reality is this:

  1.  Jesus’ promises to you and over you and about you aren’t voided because of the storm.  NEVER let the situation overwhelm the Promise.  Because it is in His PROMISES that you have hope!
  2.  Jesus doesn’t speak to the storm until they speak to Him.  Often times we tell everyone else about our issues — but not Him.  Remember— God is a gentleman.  He doesn’t get involved in affairs that He is not invited to.  Call on Him to speak to your storm.
  3.  After He calmed it — then they were even more afraid.  And all of us should have a healthy fear for the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah”.  I am afraid of many things.  But I have to remind myself:  “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills” — He is quick to forgive and easy to call on.  In His hand is my destiny and the destiny of all.  He Is Worthy of my praise … And yours.

I pray for you today.

And I ask that you pray for me.

We don’t always need rescuing from our storms.  But we ALWAYS need rescuing from ourselves … and others.

He is up for the task.

And He is the keeper of our eternities.

May He bless you … and keep you … and make His face to shine upon you.  May you find favor in His presence … and worship … in SPIRIT and IN TRUTH.

In The Name of the Father and the 

Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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Coach J