What do you do when you are stuck in a troubling situation with nowhere to run? Your storms are sent
- Michael-Todd Hall | The Sword of the Spirit:
- Mar 15, 2017
- 3 min read
Maybe, like the disciples who were stuck in a life-threatening storm, we run to Jesus (Mark 4:35-41). Sometimes, however, we may try to bail ourselves out of trouble by seeking revenge, slandering the one who has caused our problem, or just cowering fearfully in the corner as we sink into despair.
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. — Mark 4:37
Finally, the disciples woke Jesus up, asking him a question that to us may seem impertinent, but it is one we have all asked in moments of desperation: “Do you not care that we are perishing?”
Don’t you care that my child is sick? Don’t you care that my marriage is falling apart? Don’t you care that my friends have deserted me? Don’t you care that I have no money? Don’t you care that I feel so alone? Don’t you care that I want to give up? Don’t you care that my spouse has died? Don’t you care that I lost my job?
We never question the Lord’s compassion when things are going well. But God’s compassion is not measured by our circumstances nor is His kindness limited to our understanding. God cares just as much when the tempest is raging as when the seas are calm and the sun is shining. His mercy is not limited to the sunlight nor this mercy to the stillness of the waves.
Your storms are sent by God to cause you to reach the end of yourself so that you will cry out to the Lord in utter desperation, “Don’t you care that I am perishing?” And in that moment—not before it, but in it, when the water seems about to engulf you and all that is dear to you is lost—in that moment, the Lord rises and says, “Peace, be still!”
Most of us have many of moments when we feel utterly alone and forgotten by God. When life tumbles in around us, even after we have tried to serve God to be the best of our ability, there are moments when we feel that God has left us completely. We need to learn from the disciples who fled to Jesus as their only hope. He may not bail us out immediately, but remembering that He is in our boat makes a difference! Thankfully, He is always with us in the storms of life, saying things like “Peace, be still!” So, look for Him in your storm and let Him fill you with the peace that comes from knowing He is near.
Where there are no storms, there is no danger.
Where there is no danger, there is no fear.
Where there is no fear, there is no testing.
Where there is no testing, there is no learning.
Where there is no learning, there is no growing.
Where there is no growing, there is no faith.
Psalm 66:16 (NIV) cries out: "Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me." When you will see that you have grown stronger by the storm you passed through—SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY.
Also, the purpose of sharing your testimony isn't solely to reach others either. It serves as a reminder to yourself of how you used to be and how you are now—the difference between the old you and the new you (Ephesians 4:22-24). It’s for those times that we became "backsliders" and we can see the love of Christ regardless of what sins we may have committed.
Make Jesus your first option when the storms of life threaten you.
Lord, teach us to run to You in the midst of trouble. Forgive us for trying to bail ourselves out, and lead us to the peace of trusting Your wisdom and ultimate deliverance. Thank You that You will help us!
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