(By Derrick)
We all know the incident.
Mark 4:35-41, Matthew 8:23-27 and Luke 8:22-25 speak about it. Jesus and the disciples were in a boat, when without warning a violent storm strikes the waters.
Often in our lives we get hit by problems that come without warning. What do we do then? I pray that the below thoughts would encourage you:
1. Focus on God’s words
Focus on the instructions or promise that God has already given you to have success in your situation. Do you know if only the disciples had focused on the instruction Jesus gave them they would not have to worry at all. The first line of this passage had the answer to their problem.
Jesus had already given them to command before they started sailing, “Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.” In response, the disciples launched forth; however, there came a storm.
What I’m trying to say is, if the disciples truly regarded Jesus’ word as the word of God, (i.e. go over to the other side) they would have not feared or at least they would have reacted very differently to the problem. All then they had to say was, “Jesus told us that we were to go to the other side of the lake, and so storm I rebuke you.” And there would have been calm.
2. Speak to your storm
The Bible says that Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind and the storm and there was a great calm. His disciples said “What manner of man is this for He commands even the winds and water, and they obey him”. The word to focus on here is “EVEN”. His disciples had seen Jesus speaking to fevers, trees, all kinds of demons (In fact the devil when tempting Jesus was tempting Him to speak to stones to become bread!).
The power lies in your words. What storm are you facing today? Is it cancer? depression? debt? barrenness? Take your authority in Christ and speak to the problem in His Name and it will obey you as long as you have believed His word with all your heart.
3. Know that Jesus is in your boat
Mark 4:36 says that there were other small boats too in the lake, apart from the disciples’ boat. But here lies the difference- Jesus was in their boat! And there is no storm in the world that can drown your boat (life, dream, vision), as long as Jesus is in it. (If you have not known Jesus before and want to make Him the Lord of your life, go here) You must believe that He is not only for you, but with you, in whatever trial, sickness, lack or problem that has come your way. And He is not sleeping but has given you his WORD which has the power to set you free, when you believe and act upon it.
How has this post encouraged you? Anything else you want to add? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.