a storm

” And behold, there arose a great storm on the seas, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but He was asleep. And they went and woke Him, saying ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.‘ And He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?‘ Then He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?‘ “

MATTHEW 8:23-27

i don’t know what storm you are facing today. but i know there are many storms brewing in our world (notice that the scripture said “a” storm not “the” storm). maybe your storm is the never ending pile of laundry, the best friend’s diagnosis, a family member who continues to travel a dangerous path, a kindergarten bully, a frustrating boss, potty training, the depressing news stories, or pure exhaustion. the storms are endless. and when i walk into i storm, i’ll be the first to admit that i scream out Save us, Lord; we are perishing. it is our human instinct to seek relief and to often times over dramatize things. yes, the disciples were in a scary place but they were not literally perishing (yet).

Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?
i used to have such a problem with this verse. “so if i ask for help then suddenly i have no faith?!” but He doesn’t say “NO” faith He says “LITTLE.” the greek word used is oligopistos which means defective or deficient faith. when the Lord responds this way, He is calling the disciples to a better understanding of who He is. that He has the power to calm the wind and the waves. He can conquer the storm. He is proving Himself and adding to our faith. and we marvel at the things He does. how He works good in bad circumstances. and we are forced to ask What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?

someone to trust. that is my answer to that question. and while Jesus will not show up in your laundry room and put all the clothes away, pick up the kindergarten bully and move him to a new school, or replace your boss in response to your cry (even though He is totally capable of that and may respond in that way) He will give you strength to face your fears. because Him calming the storm tells me He is bigger than my fears and your fears.

my prayer is that you will let the Lord calm the storm in your life today. whether that means removing it all together or just calming your heart. He is faithful and He is a God of peace.

let’s stand together and let the Lord fight our storms because we cannot do it on our own.