Rough Storms

My friend Shauna had a FaceBook post that I loved, “sometimes God calms His child and sometimes God calms the storm”. 

As I read Shauna’s post, my mind was transported to a boat being thrashed around in a terrible storm. “Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him.  Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.  But Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”  He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”  Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm"               Matthew 8:23-27 

Before God calms the rough storms of our life, He takes the opportunity to build our faith.   Pastor Rick Warren often reminds us that God is more interested in building our character than our happiness.  Jesus was fully aware of both the storm and their fear.  So, He used this as a teachable moment.  Jesus taught His followers that part of life is sailing in storms.  He then pulled back the curtain and gave them a God perspective moment and taught them that He nature obeys His every command.    

If God were to calm us first, then our faith will not grow because we would trust either luck or circumstances. 

Bottom line:  In God’s presence we should not be afraid. 

“When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze”

Isaiah 43:2