Encouragement

For some, the storm is still raging. You want to be rescued.  You are getting impatient waiting for help. It seems to you like no one notices your need. When is someone going to help me, they have forgotten about my plight, no one cares about me. You say to yourself as tears fill your eyes and stream down your cheeks. The storm has overwhelmed you.

You have weathered many storms in the past but this storm which you are presently experiencing is the worst. You feel as though your strength is gone. For most of your life, you have had to endure storms. You are overwhelmed.

You experienced a storm because you ignored the warnings. You blame yourself. It is time to forgive yourself. The storm has beaten you. Don't you dare beat up yourself too. 

You have lived by all life's rules and the precepts of God, yet a storm came and devastated you. It is a fact that that kind, loving and God-fearing people also experience storms. No one is exempt from the storms of life, so we must do our best to be prepared.

You complain that others have recovered from the same storm that hit you and moved on with their lives, but you are still in ruins. I urge you to avoid the comparisons. No more self-pity. The one who calms the boisterous winds and raging seas also gives strength to withstand a storm and regain what you have lost. He is reaching out to you. Jesus is speaking peace to you.

Severe weather conditions like storms and hurricanes are very scary, even the disciples of Jesus, skilled fisherman panicked during a  storm. Jesus was with them in the boat during a storm, but he was sleeping. Peter awoke him frantically saying Lord are you not concern that we would perish. Jesus answered why are you so afraid. Jesus identified the real issue, the main reason they panicked and were terrified even though he (Jesus)  was with them. They were so afraid because they had little faith. This was not a condemnation.  

Little faith when exercised can help us achieve certain things. But little faith panics during the storms of life. Little faith loses hope quickly. Little faith doubts God's love. Therefore we need to keep increasing and growing our faith. I hasten to add that we cannot manufacture faith as it is a function of our relationship with the Lord. Faith comes from God's word and will increase by God's word. Faith is not a positive feeling or emotion. It is more than being optimistic. Our faith must be anchored to God and his word. Faith is trust and confidence in God's character. Faith is seen by our actions. Faith is not only about hearing the word of God. Jesus said if you hear my words and do them (put them into practice) you will be like a wise person who built their house upon a rock, so when the flood waters rose and the winds beat violently against the house. The house did not fall because its foundation was on a rock.  

Beloved, we must not be afraid. For the storms of life will come. Our Lord is our shelter in the times of storm. Jesus gives us peace in the midst of the storm. Our God is a very present help in the time of trouble.  Let us place our trust in the Lord. The writer exhorts in Isaiah 26:4, "Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God we have an everlasting rock."