STEEL THE STORM
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity – Albert Einstein
I have grown the most in sink or swim moments.
A storm will set into steel the resolves we need to strengthen us. It will train us if we allow ourselves to be taught. After all, smooth seas never made a skilled sailor. You have the power to determine, by your responses, whether you will grow into health and strength, or in the opposite direction. The choice is yours.
Jesus Calms the Storm
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:22-25
1. CHOOSE YOUR REALITY
A storm throws at us the most crude of diagnoses. Verse 23 bluntly states, “They were in great danger”. They really were. And maybe you are too. I want to challenge that for you today by suggesting another perspective.
There are the facts and then there’s the truth.
Like parallel realities we live vacillating between fact and truth all the time. Our experiences present themselves as FACTS but they are not necessarily the TRUTH.
Let me remind you what Jesus said before he went to sleep. “LET’S GO OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE”
So when the challenge arises, will you bow to the primary report of your Saviour (you’re going to the other side) or the secondary report of your circumstance (you’re in danger)? You choose your reality.
You can view your obstacle in light of your circumstance or in light of your God.
The disciples really were in danger [FACT]
But Jesus had promised they would reach the other side [TRUTH]
You may have a diagnosis [FACT]
His Name is Jehovah Rapha – Healer [TRUTH]
You may be living in lack [FACT]
His Name is Jehovah Jireh – Provider [TRUTH]
You may struggle with anxiety [FACT]
His Name is Jehovah Shalom – Peace [TRUTH]
You may feel powerless to change a situation [FACT]
His Name is Adonai – Total Authority [TRUTH]
You may feel overlooked [FACT]
His Name is El Roi – God who sees me [TRUTH]
You may have been let down by people [FACT]
His Name is YHWH – Unchanging Faithful One [TRUTH]
You may feel alone [FACT]
His Name is El Shaddai – God with us [TRUTH]
You may have been defeated [FACT]
His Name is Jehovah Nissi – Our Victory Banner [TRUTH]
He is all-powerful, all knowing, and ever present.
He is a father to the fatherless, husband to the widow, closer than a brother.
He is our refuge, our strength, our portion.
He is our answer, our grace, our Prince of Peace.
He is the lover of our souls.
He is God and His ways are higher than our ways.
He is the only truth, and He never changes.
Storm or no storm – the truth remains – you’re going to reach the other side!
2. MAKE YOUR CONFESSION
Anyone who knows me knows I am ruthless about confessions. The disciples bombed out on this. “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” was the confession they chose in fear. They confessed the facts, not the truth.
"When in doubt tell the truth." Mark Twain
Three out of my four pregnancies were threatened by negative medical reports. The first time I was gripped with fear and woke my sleeping Jesus to point out the storm. He reminded me of His Word. I started a daily habit of quoting scripture over my body, my unborn baby and our future. I quoted two pages of scriptures aloud in first person twice a day until delivery. I had to do it again with my second child and again with my third. I chose my confession and my ears needed to hear my voice as I said it.
Prayer is not coming to God with our requests and ‘To Do Lists’.
Prayer is coming into agreement with the Word of God.
We don’t bring the Word of God down to the level of our experience; we bring our experience up to the Word of God - and we keep bring it up to there until the two align.
It is so important what we confess!
Jesus had told them they were going to the other side and then went off to sleep. The promise had not changed; He had not spoken anything else or changed His mind.
Just like us!! We have heard a promise from God, and our circumstances will try convincing us that it won’t come to pass - that we are in great danger and we will drown.
Jesus is not worried about the storm raging around your boat. He reckons you’ve got this!
You’ve got this!
Make your confession line up with the Word of God
3. LOCATE YOUR FAITH
Jesus asked a pointed question, “Where is your faith?”
Jesus didn’t accuse them of having no faith, or little faith. Jesus was suggesting that they had misplaced their faith.
If you see your faith as a portion given to you, it is easy to understand that you then also choose where that faith will be deposited. Will you place it in the negative report or in the promise of Heaven?
Jesus is asking you in your storm,
“Hey, you know that gift of faith I gave you, where have you put that?”
I’ve learned that fear doesn’t leave, neither does doubt actually, but we can become more diligent in where we locate our faith.
My dear friend, storms will arise, often unexpectedly. It doesn’t mean Jesus has abandoned ship, or changed course, or changed the destination. Take courage! Learn the skills to navigate that storm, see it through and make for shore as planned.
