Everyone has experienced a stormy season in their life, or they will if they haven’t already. The Bible is full of lessons about storms. Still, it would be best if you were encouraged that Jesus has promised to meet you amid the storms. Matthew 14 tells the tale of how King Herod requested the execution of John the Baptist in prison. When Jesus heard about what transpired, He withdrew by boat to a private place. Crowds then followed Him; when Jesus saw the big groups, He had compassion for them and healed their sick. Later in the text, Jesus makes His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side after the crowds dissipated. Then, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray.
Later on that night, He was on the mountainside alone. The boat was already far away from the land because the winds were against it. In this story, the contrary winds represent a type of storm. The wind resisted them, and that’s the kind of thing that gets our lives stuck in one place. These conflicting winds give us an image of life’s circumstances that we all face. They’re not about to ruin us completely, but they drain our strength, and they block our goals. Still, while you’re in your storm, here are some things to remember that will give you peace of mind.
The Storm Has a Purpose
You must decide that God has a hand in this during your storm. In this Matthew verse, Jesus coerced them to get in the boat because He had a purpose for it. He wasn’t ignorant about what would happen out there, and it was no surprise to Him when the winds picked up. This image relates to the circumstances that everyone faces when we don’t have any choice. We’re in a contrary situation, and we didn’t have anything to do with how we got there.
There’s a difference between that and blaming God for the way things are. Jesus didn’t go up the hill to cause the storm. The Lord put us in our circumstances, knowing what we would face, but it’s not because He designed the misfortune. The feeding of the multitude before the storm and the miracle healings that come after also show a message. Jesus is showing us that life with Him isn’t just a long stream of miracles. There will be struggles in between. Your problems may stress you, but Jesus sees you.
Jesus Sees You in the Storm
When we’re stuck in our storm, we should recognize that while we may be stressed, we’re not outside of the Lord’s vision or interest. He sees us, and He cares about what we’re going through. When Jesus looks over the lake, seeing what His disciples are dealing with, He goes to them. Jesus going to His disciples serves the message that whatever you struggle with or endure, the Lord hasn’t put you out there to sink your boat. Instead, He wants to settle your soul. The Lord sees and knows the right time to save you. He’ll be there for whatever you’re going through. He knows, and He’s on His way. It would also help to remember that it’s always the darkest before Jesus shows up. This event happens between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. The disciples, experienced fishermen, rowed for eight hours but covered tiny territory, which must’ve been frustrating.
Jesus Joins You in the Storm
The Lord is on the way to help. When we seem desperately uncertain of what will happen, He shows up. When He arrives, it changes everything, and He will come. When you’re stuck in the storm, the resolution is the presence of the Lord. It’s His presence that comes in your heart when you rest in the knowledge that He has a plan in the middle of whatever you’re going through. It doesn’t mean He prepared the problem, but He can prepare you to deal with it. Peace seems just beyond our reach and an impossible goal during your storm. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. As a greeting, it means harmony, safety, and tranquility. Yet inherent in the meaning of the word is completeness, wellness, rest, and connection. Thus, peace is the wholeness that humankind seeks and desires during storms.
However great your struggle, you’re not outside of Jesus’ field of vision or the scope of His interest. When He comes and meets you there, you’re going to find that while it looked dark, He showed up. The verse in Matthew says that when Jesus went into the boat, His disciples were immediately at the other side. There does come an end, and when it finally comes, it comes quickly. It’s getting there that tries our souls. There’s no doubt that as you face these opposing and challenging storms that try your soul, the Lord says the financial struggles may be actual, and circumstances may be hostile, but I’m not distant. I haven’t forgotten about you, and I’ll show up on time, and your boat won’t sink.
Jesus says that whether He just threw the storm at you or hell is coming right at you, your boat isn’t going under because I’m with you. Jesus is bringing you through to show you the way of His presence and power. Psalm 30:5 reminds us that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. The storms of life represent the night; things may seem dark and never-ending, and you question why you’re going through these problems. On the other hand, when Jesus rescues you from your boat, that represents the morning. In the morning, you’ll realize why you went through your storm, and everything will make sense.
While you’re going through your storm, Jesus is still with you. He hasn’t forgotten about you or left you out to dry. You may not realize it, but your storm could be Jesus’ way of bringing you closer to Him. Choosing peace during your storm means that you have to recognize that God is on His way to help you even though you’re struggling. So while you’re in your boat, sit back and let God help you.
