Safety in the Storm
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:26-31
A freezing cold heavy rain is falling outside the walls of my home. High winds and snow have created blizzardlike conditions in the mountains. Yet, I am home. Safe, warm, dry, and protected. As much as I love hiking, there’s something very satisfying to being inside on this kind of day. My candles and fireplace give light in spite of dark skies outside. My pup and my cat are curled next to me. Soft flute music plays in the background. Though the storm rages outside, I’m safe and protected and feel peaceful.
In life, we will endure many, many storms. Not just rain or snowstorms, but emotional, physical, and spiritual storms that shake us to the very core of our being. Sickness, whether our own or a loved one. Loss of a dear one. Job loss. Divorce. Forced relocation. Friend or family failing to keep trust. Violent crime hurting us or a loved one. Sin devastates our world and the consequences ripple out in people, family, friendship, and country. So, what can we do?
We can take hold of God and His promises. He will never leave nor forsake us. Like Peter, initially, we focus our eyes on Jesus, rather than the storm in our lives. We hold on to the promise of His presence with us in this life and the promised hope that this life is not all there is, but a perfect eternity awaits us when we are done here. We trust that our Lord can help us to persevere through any trail. When we are navigating life’s storms, we take extra time to sit in His presence so that those promises and truths can comfort our soul and guide our words and actions. We find seemingly impossible moments of peace in the midst of the storm.
Like Peter, we are yet in earthly bodies and subject to human failings. We get tired, frustrated, and it all seems like too much. We start focusing on the storm rather than our Jesus. The one who loves us more than life itself, having sacrificed His earthly life for our eternal life. Always, we must keep returning to God for comfort in the storm. Shelter, whether from outside elements, or from earthly life trials, is essential to our well being.