Five Things to Do in a Storm

In Matthew 14:30 I read, “But when [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’” (NIV)

I must remember that when I’m going through a storm, God is not distant or uninvolved. He is with me, and working in my life for my good.

If I feel like I’m sinking in a storm, here are five things God wants me to do:

1). Have courage, because Jesus is with me. Don’t ever argue with fear. Just tell it where to go! Tell it to go talk to Jesus.

2). Take a risk in faith. Don’t ask God to bless what I’m doing. Instead, do what God is blessing. Ask him what he wants me to do, and then be willing to do it with him.

3). Stay focused on Jesus. The moment I take my eyes off the Lord, I’m going under. Matthew 14:30 says, “But when [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”  (NIV). If I focus on the wind and the waves, my circumstances, I’m going to sink, just like Peter.

4). Don’t doubt. I don’t need great faith to make it through the storm in my life. I just need faith in the right person, Jesus Christ.

5). Praise God. Even in the storm, even when I feel like I’m sinking, even when I’m scared to death, praise him all the time. Thank God in the middle of the storm.

I should consider what storm is scaring or sinking me? Why do I think God is letting me go through this storm?

He’s letting me go through this storm for the same reasons he sent the disciples into the storm. He wants me to know: “He’s all I’ll ever need. I can handle anything. And he’ll come walking on the very thing that scares me the most. He’s not asking me to come to him. He’s going to come to me.”

If I feel like I’m sinking today, don’t fear. Just call out to Jesus. I’ll find he’s with me.

In summary, when I’m afraid and feel myself beginning to sink, like Peter, cry out to Jesus to save me. When I’m going through a storm, God is not distant or uninvolved. He is with me, and working in my life for my good. When I feel like I’m sinking, here are five things God wants me to do: 1). Have courage, Jesus is with me. Don’t argue with fear. 2). Take a risk in faith. Don’t ask God to bless what I’m doing. Instead, do what God is blessing. Ask him what he wants me to do, then be willing to do it with him. 3). Stay focused on Jesus. The moment I take my eyes off the Lord, I’m going under. If I focus on the wind and the waves, my circumstances, I’m going to sink. 4). Don’t doubt. I don’t need great faith. I just need faith in the right person, Jesus Christ. 5). Praise God. Even in the storm. Thank God in the middle of the storm. If I’m experiencing a storm, why do I think God is letting me go through this? I’m going through it for the same reasons he sent the disciples into the storm. He wants me to know: “He’s all I’ll ever need. He’ll come walking on the very thing that scares me the most. He’s not asking me to come to him. He’s going to come to me.” If I feel like I’m sinking, don’t fear. Just call out to Jesus. I’ll find he’s with me.

Peter started to sink because he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the high waves around him. His faith wavered when he realized what he was doing. I won't ever walk on water, but I will walk through tough situations. If I focus on the waves of difficult circumstances around me without looking to Jesus for help, I, too, may despair and begin to sink. To maintain my faith when situations are difficult, focus on Jesus' power rather than on my own inadequacies.  

Although I start out with good intentions, my faith sometimes falters. This doesn't mean I have failed. When Peter's faith faltered, he reached out to Christ. When I'm apprehensive about the troubles around me and doubt Christ's presence or ability to help, remember that he is always with me and is the only one who can really help.

Father I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, my future job role and leading a small group. I pray these things in your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.