Life's Storms

Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep. - Matthew 8:24

It wasn't the disciples idea to put their boat out to sea. If they had done this without Jesus asking them to they would not have the same reason to expect protection and rescue. The lesson we learn here is this -- that storms may arise even when we're doing exactly what we're supposed to be doing as Christians. We shouldn't be discouraged by the difficulties or troubles that come, and conclude that somehow we stepped out of His will.

We see that Christ's presence with his disciples did not keep the storms away. There are no promises in the Bible that Christians won't encounter trials. Religion builds no high walls around us to break the force of the winds. Troubles come to the Christian just as surely as to the non-believer. There are the storms of temptation which sweep down with sudden and terrific power from the cold mountains of this world. Then there are the storms of sickness, disappointment, adversity, and sorrow whose waves seem to overwhelm us.

On the Sea or Galilee a boat could at one moment be gliding smoothly over a glassy-smooth surface, unbroken by a ripple, when all of a sudden and without warning a storm will sweep down. In an instant the boat will be tossed in the angry waves. This is exactly how many of life's storms arrive. Temptations come when we are not looking for them. So disasters come. One moment we're sitting peace in our living-room when the phone rings with the news that a close loved-one has just died. The friend you trusted and thought would never let you down, betrays you. The hopes cherished for years wither in our hands like flowers when the frost comes. The storms of life are nearly always sudden surprises. They don't hang out warning signs days before to warn us. The only way to be ready for them is to be always ready.

Apply This To Your Life Today... Are you ready for the storms of life? Is your heart prepared for when they arrive?