Storms and faith

In the world of sailing storms happen. Sometimes there is no choice but to go through the storm, as terrifying as that may be. However the wise sailor will know about a technique called 'heaving to' - an ideal technique for riding out a storm, but there's an art to it in heavy seas. For anyone interested, click here to watch a video about heaving to.

So what about in our lives? Yes, we all experience storms too. They should not be a surprise to us. In James it says,

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. James 1:2 AMP

Sometimes we can sense a storm is brewing, and if we are wise, we will prepare for it. Other times they arrive unexpectedly and we have to make choices as to how we respond. 

In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 4 we read about a storm that arose unexpectedly for the disciples ...

Suddenly as they were crossing the lake, a ferocious tempest arose, with violent winds and waves that were crashing into the boat until it was all but swamped. Mark 4:37 The Passion Translation

Jesus did not appear to be too perturbed by the storm...

But Jesus was calmly sleeping in the stern, resting on a cushion. Mark 4:38 The Passion Translation 

I am supposing that the storm wasn't unexpected for Jesus, as He was the one who told them to get in the boat and go to the other side...

On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake]. Mark 4:35 AMP

But one of the lessons for us from this story, is that in the storm, Jesus chose to rest. He knew where they were going. Before they started the voyage Jesus told the disciples they were going to the other side of the lake. That plan hadn't changed. They had just encountered a storm along the way.

John Maxwell says this about this scripture, 

'When a terrifying storm convinced the disciples that they were about to die, they forgot one important factor: Jesus was in the boat and had told them they were going to the other side of the lake. His word always comes to pass.'
The Maxwell Leadership Bible, page 1232

How quickly we can forget God's Word when the storm hits. I wonder how differently I would have responded to those words of the neurologist, 'There is a mass in your child's brain' if I had immediately remembered the promise God had given us at Victoria's dedication some three years before...

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6 NKJV

But the reality is that I had a faith journey to go on, just like the disciples. It was a journey that was long and painful, but through it I have learned that Jesus is always in the boat with me. It has been a journey of learning how to trust God at a deeper level. A maturing journey (that I am very much still on!), just as James says ...

Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. James 1:3 AMP

So when the unexpected storm comes, we need to constantly, perhaps every minute, remind ourselves that Jesus is in the storm with us. We need to remind ourselves of His promises and not let our thoughts digress from His truth. He will get us to the other side.

If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life's difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God! James 1:12 The Passion Translation