As I write this blog post, the Tropical Storm Cristobal is headed to the coast. I had plans this morning to travel to Baldwin County with my two grandchildren to take them home. When I got up this morning, I watched the weather channel, the FB weather reports and truthfully stressed over the ride South into the storm. I dressed for church at 9:00 and as I was driving to church God gently spoke to my heart. He let me know that I was focusing on the storm. I had stressed over the coming storm, been so distracted over the coming storm and my trip to my daughters and our safety that I totally had taken my eyes off of the One that could calm my fears.
“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”” Mark 4:35, 37-40 NKJV
Focused on the Storm
Reminded of this story of Jesus, it occurred to me that the disciples had to take their eyes off the storm and turn to Jesus. As long as they focused on the storm, it worsened in their minds just as I let the storm worsen in my mind this morning.
Turn Your Eyes Away From the Storm
The storm did not lessen until they woke Jesus. Now, I’m not suggesting at all that Jesus is asleep and we need to wake Him up when we have a storm in our lives. He never sleeps and the Holy Spirit dwells in us to guide and direct us. I am saying that we must go down in the boat turning our eyes away from the storm and talk to Him. Get out of the wind and stop watching the water cover our shoes. Be reminded that He calms the storms in our lives. Instead of imagining the worse or letting the storms in our mind grow bigger, start looking to Jesus. Read His word. Quote scripture. Pray!
Focus on the Peacemaker
As I sit in my daughter’s house, I realize how I allowed myself to get all worked up watching the storm. Events recently have also been causing me to look at the ‘storm’.
Our nation’s unrest is a large storm of sorts. However, I am slowly learning to focus on the Peacemaker. The One who calms the storms in my life.
Paula Wallace
For more encouragement in the storm:
Great message for “such a time as this”!
God bless!