WHEN THE STORMS RAGE
Clouds billowing, winds howling and waves crashing against the boat with no shoreline in sight..
Have you ever been in a situation like this? It can be a helpless feeling, especially if you are in the boat. I have experienced this first hand.
When I was a young girl my dad and I used to go fishing out in his boat for hours and hours. We usually stay close to shore, but this day we went further out into the deep and so far out you could barely see any land. We were enjoying this sunny day together, daughter and father, but as the afternoon came, we noticed clouds starting to come in, and then, the wind picked up, and then, yes, you guessed it, the waves started rising and the water became very violent. It happened very quickly. I was terrified. It seemed the waves would not stop battering the side of this small boat we were in. Within a few moments, what started out as a good time, soon became a life-threatening event. We were waiting the storm out, but the more we waited, the more the winds and waves picked up. I will never forget what happened next; I looked out about 5 ft from our boat, these waves exposed what was underneath the water. It was the most terrifying sight. It was jaded concrete! We soon realized, this concrete was the old two mile bridge which spanned across the water for vehicles to cross from one side of the lake to the other. Watching as our boat was pushed closer and closer, it made our boat seem even smaller in comparison to these huge concrete slabs sticking up everywhere. Once we saw this, it became even more serious, and I could hear it in my dad’s voice and see it in his demeanor. With multiple attempts, the boat engine would not start, and each time the waves came in, we were being pushed up against the exposed concrete. I remember screaming out for the Lord to help us and that is exactly what He did! We made it through safely, and I am so grateful to the Lord for hearing my cry and coming to the rescue by quieting the winds and the waves.
Let me share with you about a story in the Bible that I can relate to because of my story I just shared.
It is a story about Jesus’s disciples and how these men were made (constrained) to get on a boat and sail out on the Sea of Galilee. This story is told in Matthew 14:22-27.
As you notice here, the word “made” or “constrained” which is defined as “compelled toward a particular course of action,” in other words, Jesus compelled these men to get on a boat, in knowing the storms were coming upon them later that evening.
Jesus stayed back and went upon the mountaintop spending time with His Father in prayer.
I can just imagine these men were anticipating what would be next for them, as they were living for Jesus and had witnessed powerful miracles and seeing things they have never seen before. Then without any warning, in the deepest, darkest part of the night, the fourth watch, the storm came with it’s vicious wind and waves rocking against their boat and they could do nothing about it but cry out to the Lord to save them. Then, just as fast as the waves and wind came upon them, they saw in the distance what looked like a figure. Can you imagine what they were thinking? Scared, they talked about it looking like it was a ghost on the water, as this figure came closer, they soon realized it was Jesus; Jesus was walking on water. Jesus said to them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then Peter, cried out, “Lord, If it’s you, tell me to to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” Peter bravely stepped out, even in the midst of strong winds and waves. He kept His eyes directly on Jesus. Then something happened. Peter became distracted by the wind and waves, and he became afraid, and as he took his eyes off of Jesus, he immediately started to sink. He screamed out to the Lord, and said, “Lord, save me!” Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him, keeping him from drowning. Jesus rebuked him and said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt.” They climbed in the boat, the wind died down, and the others were in awe of what their eyes had seen and ears heard.
JESUS KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH.
I believe this story represents our lives at times. You may be a believer in Jesus Christ and storms may be in your midst. You cannot believe you are where you are and how you got there. I want you to know that Jesus knows exactly where you are and what you are going through.
ARE YOU GOING TO REACT WITH FAITH OR WITH FEAR?
How are you reacting through this storm? Are you going to be like Peter and step out on the waves and into the winds and face these things head on with a great faith, or are you in the boat crying out and afraid to even move? Know where you are, know who has you and face what is before you with supernatural strength, faith and courage to face whatever is coming your way.
WHO IS IN YOUR BOAT?
Also, I want to ask you, “Who is in your boat?”
The Word of God says, ” I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and a sound mind.”
Again, “who do you have in your boat?”
Is it “a spirit of fear?” I want to tell you that fear is a spirit, it is from the enemy of your soul. The Lord wants to give you strength and courage to fight this fight of faith. Kick that fear right out of the boat, and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the one and only to help you get through this! You can do ALL things through Christ, who gives you the strength to do it. Next time a storm comes up, know The One who can calm the wind and the rain, His Name is Jesus. Call on the Name of Jesus, and just as He came to these disciples that night, He will surely do the same for you!
WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THE DEEP WATERS, I WILL BE WITH YOU.
Again….God’s promise to you is, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” You see, He did not say that you will never go through deep waters. Just as when Jesus sent His disciples out into the Sea and Galilee, the storms raged, but Jesus came to them and hushed the storm to a still. His promises are for you and seek Jesus to calm your storm that is raging around you. 
Allow Him to climb into your boat, will you?
I challenge you today, put your face towards the wind and waves and acknowledge who goes before you, the One who gives you the strength to stand and your faith in Jesus will allow you to face whatever comes your way. And Jesus is saying to you, “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
I pray this word encourages you, and if it has, I would love to hear from you. Click on “add comment” and share your story of overcoming the storms in your life! And if you are going through a storm right now, I would also love to hear from you; note your prayer requests and our team will be praying for you!
“TAKE COURAGE, IT IS I. DO NOT BE AFRAID.”
