Take a look at this passage of scripture from Matthew 8:23-27 (NKJV):
“23Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24And suddenly a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25Then His disciples came to him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
Jesus and His disciples were in a ship when there was a huge storm raging. This storm was so intense that the waves covered the boat they were in. The interesting thing about it to me was that Jesus was asleep. His disciples woke him with terror, fearing for their lives. The passage indicates that Jesus, in the course of a few moments, rebuked the winds and the sea and gave the disciples a lesson on reliance when He asked “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”
Jesus rested while in a storm, and this is what we should aspire to do in the storms we face in life (spiritually, physically, professionally, financially, psychologically, emotionally, intellectually, socially, or any other way).
In context, resting indicates a freedom from the anxiety or distress associated with the storms of life. When you determine for yourself that you won’t ‘stress out’ every time things don’t go as planned, you will be able to sleep easier, and the frequent headaches you deal with will begin to come less frequently. Are you getting this?
Some things in life are strictly out of our control. What manner of person are you that the winds, waves, situations, and trials of life must fall subject to you? Are you one who is intent on resting while in the storm? These answers point directly to a personal relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (see John 14:6).
God has a plan for you. But in order for His plan to come together in your life, you must learn to deal with and overcome the “storms” coming toward you on a regular basis. You might ask, “What is God’s plan for me?” Well my friend, I believe He is revealing it to you more and more each day. Go to church this week and every week expecting the Lord to speak to you directly about His plan through the preacher.
When you pray, ask God to reveal His plan more clearly to you. Keep a pen and notepad handy, because when you ask the Lord to speak to you, He will! Be encouraged, and stay encouraged!
Author, speaker, musician DEREK E. EURALES, Jr., loves to share his faith, motivation, and music. His book, Principles of Christian Living, has become a “must read” for believers of all ages. To order your copy, click here.