How to Cope With The Storms of Life, Part 1

Driving to work on an average Thursday morning I happened to look out my window and see the driver next to me making an average right hand turn into a company that I assumed to be her employer. In the split second that took me to note this driver's movement, a thought occurred to me. This was not a new thought, but this time the Lord allowed it to make a more meaningful impact in my heart.

Maybe it was the look on her face, but my though was, "This lady has a life filled with problems, just like me and everyone else that walks this earth. We are all on the same boat." Immediately I thought of the following story.

"Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."" Matthew 14:22-33, ESV

This life is a stormy sea, and we are all sailing through it. Most of us live scared of the "waves" of life. Worrying and stressing over everything that is wrong or could potentially go wrong, getting "beaten by the waves." We live, like Peter, looking at the storm around us. This is what Jesus referred to as "the cares of the world" in Mark 4:19.

It is time that we stepped out of the boat, looked at Jesus, and started walking towards Him. If you can walk on water, drowning is not something that you are concerned about. If Jesus has called your name, then you should not be concerned about the waves of this life. Just get up, focus on Him, start walking forward, and trust He will take care of the storms around you.