The 1st of June is the beginning of the Hurricane season for the Gulf Coast. It lasts until the end of November. Most hurricanes occur in the fall. Most often, an area of interest will form off of the west coast of Africa and then make its way toward the Gulf. A storm will develop in the Gulf of Mexico. It often strengthens into a hurricane and is heads for land and the people living in the communities on the coast. It is an all too familiar story. The people can’t change the storms intensity or direction, all they can do is get ready to endure its fury and deal with the aftermath of the storm. Many of the people affected by the storm from the previous year are still “storm-shocked”. A storm of any size, even a thunderstorm can bring on feelings of fear and anxiety - depression even.
That is the way it is with the storms of life. They are sure to come, but unlike having a Weather Channel to watch, you may not see them coming. They will often have destructive power – relationships – health – wealth. We need to be prepared for them. We can certainly pray that the storm will be averted, that the problem will go away, but it doesn’t always happen. So what to do. Well, you need a plan. Jesus said -
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
Did you catch that? Our plan is simple. It is faith in Jesus and peace through Jesus. So long as you are walking on this planet and have breath, you will be faced with storms, with tribulation. Remember the story about Jesus and the disciples in a boat.....
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "LORD, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” - Matthew 8:23-27
Did you catch that? The storm was raging and Jesus was sleeping. He was at peace in the middle of the storm. How is it that the disciples didn’t pick up on that? Because they were focused on the storm and their fear, not the One who commanded the wind and waves. With all of their nautical skills, they lacked the ability to do anything about it. So they turned to Jesus to fix it. Had they truly understood His sovereignty, perhaps they would have taken a nap as well.
Your ability to endure the storms that will come your way is a function of the strength of you faith. Jesus said they lacked faith and asked them why they were so afraid. That was a rhetorical question because He knew their hearts and their faith. And He knows ours and asks us the same question. My old friend Proverbs 3:5-6 comes to mind. Trust God and not yourself. In the Army we said “You fight the way you train.” In other words, you need to be prepared for the battle. Many of us put that off – that is until the storm comes. Then we want to know where God is – Oh, He is sleeping. What ?!?!?! It’s not a matter of God not caring, it is the point that He is sovereign – the master of the seas. This is what King David wrote.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident” - Psalm 27: 1-3
Will there be storms that come your way. And there will be consequences from those storms? Most likely. But you can survive - you can endure! But only if the Lord is your light and salvation. Perhaps you are in the middle of a storm right now. Look to Jesus.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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