Happy Tuesday Everyone!

I am so happy to spend time with you today. I want to talk about storms we encounter in our lives. Do you know how it feels to be caught in a storm of life?

Troubling circumstances happen to you suddenly. You feel helpless and do not know what to do. Are you in the middle of a storm? Or is someone you love overwhelmed by one? You feel your world spinning out of control.

The truth is we are not in control. But God is. We all go through storms in our lives. You are either about to go into a storm; just coming out of a storm, or you are right in the middle of a storm, but we all go through them. But the truth is, we cannot calm the storm.

No matter how hard we try, no matter how much effort we put into it, some storms are simply too big, too powerful, and too intense to control. We cannot control the weather, we cannot control the actions of others, and we cannot control the events that unfold in our lives. What we can control, however, is how we respond to the storm.

It is important to remember that storms do pass. No matter how intense the storm may feel in the moment, it will eventually calm down. The sun will come out again, and life will go on.

By focusing on calming yourself in the midst of the storm, you will be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.

Finding peace in the midst of a storm seems like a very daunting task, but what one must be able to do, to get through this life. Storms are actually vital for us. God uses difficulty not only to reveal himself but to shape us to become more like Christ.

When you are in the middle of an overwhelming storm, and you are drowning, God wants us to know we can rest in Him. Keeping our eyes on Jesus (just like Peter) we can learn to walk above the storm.

However, if our eyes are not on Jesus (just like Peter) then the storm will engulf us. Jesus will teach us how to rest in Him.

What is a storm? A storm is a situation that demands that we immediately seek shelter and safety. You may be experiencing such a storm in your life or in your family, in your home, or even in your marriage, at this very moment. But that storm is the very place where God wants to meet you in a new way.

What storm is scaring you right now? What storm is sinking you? Why do you think God is letting you go through this storm?

He is letting you go through this storm for the same reasons he sent the disciples into the storm. He wants you to know: “I am all you need. I can handle anything. And I will come walking on the very thing that scares you the most. I am not asking you to come to me. I am going to come to you.”

That is how God revealed Himself to Job– “then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind” (Job 38:1).

As a result, Job experienced a whole new level of repentance and humility (42:6). His character was deepened and changed, so much so that he stopped reacting in anger against his friends and their counsel.

Instead, in spite of his own incredible suffering, he prayed not for himself, but for his friends (Job 42:10). After this work of revival in his life, God was pleased to again bless Job, this time twice as much as before (Job 42:10-17).

Luke 8:22-26

The disciples find themselves in a terrible storm. Now many times storms catch us when we are not expecting them. This was probably true for the disciples, as this storm came even when Jesus was with them in the ship!

But in this story, Jesus reveals Himself as the God who is bigger that our storms. And our view of God is very important, because how we view God will determine how we view ourselves, that God is bigger than our storms, but if you are like me, you just sometimes need to be reminded.

One thing is for sure in this story: The storm was not as big to Jesus as it was to the disciples! And even though the storm was above their head, it was still under His feet!

In the midst of a storm is where God often reveals Himself to us to bring spiritual deepening and revival. That is how God manifested Himself and rescued David (Psalm 18:6-19; Psalm 29:1-11). That is how He revealed Himself to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:4-28). God revealed Himself and brought revival and renewed purpose to Jonah through a storm (Jonah 1:1-2:10). Nahum said of the Lord, “in whirlwind and storm is His way” (Nahum 1:3). It was through storms that Jesus repeatedly revealed Himself in new ways to His disciples (Matthew 8:23-27; 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21). And it was through a storm that God revealed Himself in a new way to Paul and his companions (Acts 27:14-28:10).

Sooner or later, we will find ourselves in a storm. But if we want to keep our peace in the midst of our storms, we must remember what God has promised to us now, in the stillness.

Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7

Sounds impossible, right? Easier said than done? There will be times where our faith is put to the test, but this is not meant to destroy us but to strengthen our faith. There was an instance in the Bible, (Mark 4: 35–41), where Jesus’ disciples were fearful for their life and did not know what to do.

Jesus Calms the Storm

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So, they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up; high waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

What do you think Jesus was doing? Was He panicking? Did He jump out of the boat? No, He was sleeping, right in the middle of the storm. You may be asking yourselves, why would He be sleeping at a time like this? Verse 38 continues, Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!”

If you are facing a storm right now—a hurricane, tornado, or life-changing event—I know your world is spinning right now. While it is hard to stay present amid anxiety and worry, and when, things seem out of control, just remember God is always in control. He is with you wherever you are, and His peace passes all understanding. I have learned to turn to His promises and prayers when storms threaten.

God has a plan in the storms of life, but we don’t always know what it is. That’s the part that requires faith. We reach for a plan, but Jesus offers His hand instead of a map. So let go of your plan. And follow His and take it one day at a time.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. —Isaiah 26:3

Why a storm? It gets our attention. And it motivates us to seek God desperately. So, will you seek God earnestly in the storm you find yourself in now? Do so, and you can expect to meet Him in a whole new way.

I love you all,

Joyce!

REMEMBER: CHRIST HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE, NO MATTER OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

Prayer,

Father, Grant me both so that I may take heart and face the trial set before me. Help me to press on in the race of life so that I may have the victory. I need you. I need your Holy Spirit to fill me with peace. There is nothing more than I can do today. Emotionally, I am overwhelmed. But You—You are ever present, never-changing, always offering peace. It is You who keeps me, You who sustains me, You who hold. I receive your peace. In Jesus Name. Amen.

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