Mission Venture Ministries

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) 

Where is your faith when the storm comes? Jesus asked His disciples this question, reminding us that our faith is tested especially in difficult times. 

If there is ever a time when it seems as if panic would be legitimate, it’s when we are in a major storm and our boat is being swamped. And yet Jesus rebuked not only the storm, but also the disciples’ lack of faith! The fact is, storms often expose how we are not trusting in the Lord and often, a crisis shows us a side of ourselves we were blind to. The Lord uses it to reveal new areas where we need to learn to trust Him. We all must come to know our weakness so that we will rely on the Lord’s strength.

Most of us have been in a storm, are going through one, or will be in one in the near future. In Matthew 14:22-33 the disciples were in a huge storm in the middle of a relatively large lake. They were exhausted, scared and needed help. Right when the storm was at its peak the disciples see a figure in the distance and we know from Scripture that Jesus was walking on the sea towards their rescue. 

Jesus is walking towards our storm as well and will calm it also, but we must have faith and trust in Him. 

Here are three encouraging verses that we can hold on to in the midst of our storm. 

• He’s in the storm with you. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging… The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:1-3, 11). 
• Take courage. “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24). 
• Have faith. “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). 

We need to ask God to teach us to have faith not only during the storms of our life but always. We need to learn to let Him be in control. 

If you are churning on the high seas, call out, take courage and keep His perspective. The Anchor of our soul is walking toward each one of us that is facing a storm, with rescue on His mind. 

The force of nature regularly demonstrate their power in our world and just as mankind is powerless against hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes and nature’s power; we must remember that there is the One who has power over all these forces, who is greater than we can imagine, and who will take care of us. 

On another night on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus gave His disciples a glimpse of His majestic glory as seen by the account of Mark 4:35-41 where He demonstrates His power over the natural world. 

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!” 

Only the Lord of all creation (Colossians 1:16-17) could calm the storm with a word. Only the God of the universe could speak peace to the raging sea and that is what He can do for each one of us. 

Storms often hit our lives too. They rush in, often popping up quickly like that storm on the Sea of Galilee. We have little power to stop them but Jesus has the power to calm the storms in our life. 

When trouble comes, we may react much like the disciples in the storm, with fear and doubt. But we need to remember that He will always work for our ultimate spiritual good and for His own glory. 

Every trial is an opportunity for God to teach us more about Him and to reveal Himself to us in a new way. Each difficulty and struggle opens the door for God to display His power in our lives. We need to trust Him to do what only He can do because, He sees, cares and most of all He is able. 

Are you on the high seas without an anchor? Do you need Jesus to show up and bring stability, sanity, and clarity in your storm? Then, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). 

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