“Then he got into a boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly a terrible storm came up, with waves higher than the boat. But Jesus was asleep. (Matthew 8:23-24, emphasis mine)”
Jesus’ disciples were freaking out, man. A massive storm hit while they were crossing a lake, and they thought they were gonna die. Meanwhile, their fearless leader, Jesus, was asleep.
They frantically woke him up: “Don’t you care that we’re about to perish?!” they asked Him.
“Ah gimme a break!” He replied.
Ok, He didn’t really say that. He said, “Oh you of little faith!” and then with one command, calmed the storm. His disciples were amazed that even the winds and the waves obeyed Him.
I know some of my friends who are braving their own storm right now. Maybe that’s you, as well. Hey, I get it, I’ve survived lots of them, and it gets to the point where you’re wondering when the next one will hit.
“Ok, things are going good,” we wonder. “How long is THIS gonna last?”
Sometimes it’s not long before the next one hits.
I’d just like to encourage you today: you’ve survived many storms in the past, and you’ll survive this one, too. How do I know? Well, you’re still here, aren’t you? Think back on the times when you were in the MIDST of the hail, the rising waters and the damaging winds. Your boat was being tossed about and you just knew you were gonna die…
But you didn’t. You made it.
You’ll also make it through this one, I promise.
Let me pray for you:
“Jesus, I pray for my friend reading this. I ask Holy Spirit to grant them peace beyond all human understanding, as You promise in your word. Like streams in the desert, bring relief, bring healing and most of all, bring laughter, God. Today. Now. I rebuke the devil and all he’s trying to do in my friend’s life, Jesus. I rebuke his attempts to infiltrate our thinking. These feelings of hopelessness will leave, in Jesus’ name. I claim these things today, God. Let it be, Lord. Peace. Grant peace, in the blessed name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.”
The pic below is of my granddaughter, a bit flustered after she tried—unsuccessfully—to wake up my grandson, her “bubby,” her big brother. She rolled on him, smacked him in the face and laughed, and screamed playfully at him. It was hilarious to watch, honestly.
“Wake up!” she seems to be laughing. “It’s time to get up, bubby! C’mon, the day has started and you’re missing it!”
But he slept through the whole thing. He always sleeps through the “storm” of his baby sister.
I’m asking the Lord to help you sleep through your storm today. Tonight, may God grant you the best night’s sleep you’ve had in years.
You’re not alone; thousands, millions, maybe billions are suffering, but the storm can’t last forever.
Hey, I live in southern Missouri, so I know a little something about storms.
In the spring, when it seems we’re threatened with possible tornadoes at least once a week, you’ll see two reactions to our crazy storm season:
Some, like me and my kids, will stand out on the front porch and watch the show. We’ll let the rain spray us, and if my teenage son is feeling especially perky, he’ll even get out there in the midst of the rain and let me shoot a “fake weatherman” video of him.
Then there are those who run to their shelter. They hide. They’re terrified, and I get that feeling. I understand it, because my son was like that for a long time, and my grandson still is.
Yet we choose not to give in to it. We try and dance in the rain instead of shielding ourselves from it.
Be strong, today. Take heart, because people are praying for you. God is rooting for you, believe it or not. He loves you, and KNOWS you have the strength and determination to survive another day.
Then, before you know it, the wind and rain will have passed, and the sun will peek through the clouds.
Hold on, the end of the storm is near.
Ask God for the strength to sleep through your storm.
Blessings, friend.
Broken People 