1.11-Lessons from the storms of life.

1.11-

Lessons from The Storms of Life

Here is what you can control, your mental focus, your mind, your body and your attitude.

These are some words people have remembered that were given to them by those they love in times of a storm.

Your problem is you.

“We have met the enemy and he is us.” Pogo

We are not creatures of instinct but rather creatures of choices made over and over.

What we think. Who we choose to hang out with.

Bad things happen to us. We have some lack that hits us. Maybe several things we lack. Loyal friends. Money. Healthy parents. When we lack these kind of things and several together it is a storm. Waves hit our boat. Strong winds. Rough waters. The more we strain at the oars the worse things get. Our lives are buffeted by one big wave after another.

We can be sure that Jesus sees this in our lives. At the right time He comes to help is in one form or another.

It is not on our timing. It is usually later than we think it should be.

We are afraid.

He comes to us to help us and we become terrified.

We cry out in fear.

Someone in our group is a passionate believer in God and taking dramatic action.

That person is willing to try things that seem outlandish. They make a good impression on us, but then they too prove to be vulnerable. They too fail in handling the storm effectively. Those we trust show us their own frailty.

Eventually, we must go back to focusing on God and trusting in God and His Son, Jesus.

Then something great happens.  We experience success at last. 

Then another storm comes and we sink down.

We cry out to Jesus and He grabs us.  He tells us He is there in the storm.

He and His followers will take the time to ask us, “Why are you doubting?”

He gets in the boat with us and we feel like we are finally on solid ground.  We come to understand that God provides our daily bread and God provides all of our blessings. 

We become worshippers of God and His Son Jesus.

We come out of the storm to be helpers of others who are in storms.  They too have a lack of some sort.  Food or health or solid healthy relationships.

Matthew 14.

²² Immediately He ^[l]made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. ²³ After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. ²⁴ But the boat was already ^[m]a long distance from the land, ^[n]battered by the waves; for the wind was ^[o]contrary. ²⁵ And in the ^[p]fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out ^[q]in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
²⁸ Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” ²⁹ And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. ³³ And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”
³⁴ When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place ^[r]recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; ³⁶ and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.

Larry Wishard

1.7.19