The Storm and the Word – Part Two.

I said in part one of this post that a storm is either coming your way or you in one now or one has just passed. Storms are a part of every persons life. So how do we deal with them? How are we to act in the midst of a storm which is another word for trials, crisis, challenges and problems? In the book of James 1:2 it said we are to consider it wholly joyful when we encounter storms.
So in this post I am going to show you what the book of Mark teaches about how we are to handle ourselves in the midst of the storms of life.
In Mark 4:37-41 we read an interesting story about Jesus and the disciples. It says:

And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled.
But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing?
And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness).
He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?

There are a few things I would like to pick out from this passage.
The disciples were faced with two truths on the boat. The first truth was, the boat was sinking. Their lives were in real danger. The other truth was Jesus Christ who is the Son of God was on the boat. Which truth would they believe? The fact is this, one truth was more powerful than the other!
In our lives we face the same dilemna. We have storms that are life threating but we also have the Messiah! One of these truths is stronger than the other. We need to decide which truth to believe. Just in case you didn’t know, Jesus Christ is stronger than any other “truth” we will ever face. We just need to believe it. As we believe this truth all other “truths” will need to subject themselves to Him! (I am going to write a post on which truth to believe. It will probably be my next post)

The other thing I would like to pick out is this, we are given a vivid picture of the storm. It was a furious storm of HURRICANE proportions. I can see the disciples who are skilled fishermen doing all they can to keep the boat afloat. They have been at sea countless times. This is not new to them. But they get to a point where they give up. Their strength and experience has come to nought and that is why they go to Jesus!
Then there is Jesus who is sleeping!!! In the midst of this life threatening storm He is asleep in the stern of the boat!
That is a picture of how we are supposed to handle storms. We are supposed to be at peace during the storm. The first picture of the disciples relying on their experience and strength is NOT what we are supposed to be doing when the storms come. If we trust God we will rest and be at peace in the midst of the storms. We will be serene in the midst of the storm because we know He is with us.
This takes the grace of God. You cannot do it in your strength because you will fail.

As I end, I would like to encourage you to be like Jesus who was at peace during the storm. He was at peace because His faith was in His Father!
Storms will come but our faith in God will sustain us. It will keep us sane and stop us from losing it. Amen!

Rolain.P

The Storm and The Word – Part One.

Storms are the one thing everyone faces. I believe that a storm is either coming your way or you are in one now or one has just passed only for the cycle to repeat itself.
When I use the word storms it just means trials, crisis, challenges and problems that happen in each of our lives. Storms are a part of life. So my next question would be, how are we to deal with the storms that come our way?
We know that even though storms are not pleasant they are critical to our growth as christians and people in general.
In the book of 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.
Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

How are we to deal with the storms that come our way? James says we are to consider it wholly joyful whenever we find ourselves in a storm. Why? Because we know there is growth and maturity happening.

* please understand, I am not saying we should not experience blessings and peace and rest. Everything has a time. And that applies to storms as well. It is not storm after storm after storm, no! After winter we have summer. That is the way of life. What I am teaching is how to respond WHEN the storms come. God is fair and He knows if our lives were just about storms and nothing else we would die. I want you to understand where I am going with this post and I don’t want you to get it wrong*

In the book of Mark we are given a very vivid picture of how we are to deal with storms and I will pick it up in part two of this post.
For now, consider it wholly joyful when storms come your way!

Rolain.P