A big life-storm has been gathering momentum over much of the globe, crippling economic confidence, damaging job assurance, and causing elevated stress levels in thousands of households. The winds of adversity are causing destructive waves endangering your life-boat. Many unanchored boats (lives) are being swept away in the currents of circumstances, taking in water at an alarming rate.

Where did that storm come from? What is the real problem? How do we address such a storm in our lives? How do we keep the waves out of our boat? Is it possible to weather this storm?

No this article is not a tirade to describe your current circumstance, instead we are going to focus on ageless principles in God’s word that, when applied, will secure your life’s journey to hope, peace and victory.

Let’s start in Mark 4:35 – 41 AMP:

On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake].

 

God’s Destination for your Life

Jesus said: Let us go over to the other side. I love this suggestion from Him. Obviously He had a destination in mind. He did not say: “Hey guys, let’s go onto the lake so we can encounter a terrible storm.” The storm was not the destination! Their destination was to spread the Gospel in the region of the Gerasenes, where Jesus eventually delivered a demon-possessed man and ministered to his whole city. (See Mark 5)

This is a powerful thought to us. God’s destiny for your life-boat is not to sink in a global financial crisis storm. He has His sights set for your life on the other side! He sees tremendous opportunities on the horizon of your life that includes bringing hope, love and victory to people suffering from demonic attack. Remember Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

God’s plans for your life are plans of welfare and peace, not for evil and provide you with a hopeful future!

With God with us

Jesus never sent His disciples to cross the lake by themselves! No He said: “Let us go.” Just like Jesus. His is also called: “Emmanuel” which means “God with us”. He will never leave you nor forsake you. What does that mean? Well, if you invite Him into your boat, He’ll captain your life to weather the storm. You do not have to face the wind and the waves on your own. You have access to the King of kings to see you through.

 

So where did the storm come from?

And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled. Here we have a group of Believers who were in the act of obeying God. They were living in devotion to their God, and obeyed His wishes with love. They were not busy with sinful insurrection. Yet, suddenly they found themselves in a life-threatening storm. Can you identify with them?

Storms come and go. Even the faithful are not exempt from life’s storms. Yes, the disciples were up against it, but they had one thing going for them: They had Jesus in their boat! Do you have Jesus in your boat? This storm was not a judgment from God against them. It was not a result of their bad timing, Jesus initiated the journey.

This storm, I believe originated in Hell and was designed for one purpose: The destruction of Jesus and His disciples. Jesus already set His sights on the other side of the lake. He was on a mission to deliver a demoniac and bring salvation to a people who have never heard the Gospel. The enemy wanted to stop that. The storm was a distraction to prevent them from reaching their destination. Do not allow this current storm to distract you from your true destiny to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus to a lost and dying world. You simply must be an agent of salvation, storm or no storm!      

So where is Jesus?

But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing? Imagine Jesus sleeping in your most dire moment. Your boat is sinking, you can no longer keep your boat on course and the waves out. Rudi, how do you explain Jesus’ actions?

The word of God is clear: “He who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4) God is not oblivious to your situation. Jesus set the course for the disciples and then stepped back for these experience sea-farers to track their progress towards the other side. God will save your soul, set you free from sin and bondage, empower you with ability and Holy Spirit power and then let you navigate towards all the Lord has for you. He does not get out of your life-boat, He merely entrusts you with faith, wisdom and character to get you to your divine destiny. That’s what Jesus was doing!

When the disciples realized that they were in over the heads, they turned to Jesus. He clearly was their Captain and they needed His personal assistance.

What to do in the storm?

And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness). The storm had two features: wind and waves. In fact, this was not a “wave-storm”. It was a “wind-storm”. What does this mean? Well the source of the storm was winds that caused waves. The waves were mere symptoms generated by the wind. Look at how Jesus addresses the storm. He targets the source, the wind. The disciples dealt with the storm by trying to keep the waves (symptoms) out of their boat, but as long as the wind was blowing new waves would be generated. Jesus dealt with the wind and the waves subsided!

It is time for you to address the wind in your life first. Identify the source of your storm and stop trying to focus on the waves. You will do well to invite Jesus to step in. Give His control. Follow His storm management plan. Your buckets may help some with the waves, but the voice of God over your life will dissolve the winds of adversity.

Jesus’ voice over your circumstances will result in a great calm (perfect peacefulness) according to God’s word. In Sunday School we used to sing a fun children song:

With Jesus in the boat you can smile at the storm

Smile at the storm

Smile at the storm

With Jesus in the boat you can smile at the storm

When you’re sailing home.

 

Sailing, Sailing Home (Repeat)

With Jesus in your boat you can smile at the storm

When you’re sailing home!

In summary, 

1. Let Jesus set the course of your life.

2. Keep Him in your boat.

3. Use your gifts, abilities and empowerment to the best of your ability.

4. When you are faced with circumstances greater than your comfort zone, call on Jesus to activate His authority.

5. Deal with the source of your troubles and not the symptoms.

May Jesus restore peace and calm into your life. May every storm be addressed and every wind subside so every wave stay outside of your boat!