The Storm
by Stephanie LaCasse
“He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew 8:26 (NIV)
by Stephanie LaCasse
“He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew 8:26 (NIV)
At the last minute, while picking up my kids in Pewaukee, I decided to visit a friend. Storms were forecasted for later that evening, and though it was overcast, I didn’t feel any threat to leave the park we were at. The kids were playing while I had a very nice chat with a dear friend. I saw the storm clouds rolling in, but still thought we had time before it hit. I was wrong.
Suddenly the winds picked up, kicking up dust off of the baseball diamond and knocking over metal garbage cans. I looked over and saw the boys frantically running towards me with a look of fear on their faces. Those of us parents know that face very well. They ran to me because they had no idea what was going on and no idea where to go.
This reminded me of the disciples’ being caught in a storm and their Savior was asleep. He was asleep?! How could He be asleep at a time like that?! Jesus knew they wouldn’t drown. He knew they were safe. He had peace about the situation. He was in control. In times of trouble, how do we know this?
Some friends of ours are in the process of adopting a child from another country. They were recently given the formal rejection of that adoption. God said no. These friends are believers and know that sometimes God says no, but it doesn’t make it any less painful. They plan to appeal the rejection, but there is no way to know the outcome of this storm in their lives.
In the storms of our lives, we must run to the One who can save us. We must run to Him and pray without ceasing. The disciples knew this because when the storm came upon the boat, they were concerned and immediately woke Jesus. More than concerned, they were terrified. I’m sure Jesus saw the expression my kids’ faces - -just like He saw the faces of His disciples. Jesus (our Lord) chose to calm the storm for the disciples, but sometimes he chooses not to calm our storm, but to calm our hearts in the middle of it.
We can have peace believing that God is in control of each storm. We can have peace. But we do need to...run to him.
GOING DEEPER:
Suddenly the winds picked up, kicking up dust off of the baseball diamond and knocking over metal garbage cans. I looked over and saw the boys frantically running towards me with a look of fear on their faces. Those of us parents know that face very well. They ran to me because they had no idea what was going on and no idea where to go.
This reminded me of the disciples’ being caught in a storm and their Savior was asleep. He was asleep?! How could He be asleep at a time like that?! Jesus knew they wouldn’t drown. He knew they were safe. He had peace about the situation. He was in control. In times of trouble, how do we know this?
Some friends of ours are in the process of adopting a child from another country. They were recently given the formal rejection of that adoption. God said no. These friends are believers and know that sometimes God says no, but it doesn’t make it any less painful. They plan to appeal the rejection, but there is no way to know the outcome of this storm in their lives.
In the storms of our lives, we must run to the One who can save us. We must run to Him and pray without ceasing. The disciples knew this because when the storm came upon the boat, they were concerned and immediately woke Jesus. More than concerned, they were terrified. I’m sure Jesus saw the expression my kids’ faces - -just like He saw the faces of His disciples. Jesus (our Lord) chose to calm the storm for the disciples, but sometimes he chooses not to calm our storm, but to calm our hearts in the middle of it.
We can have peace believing that God is in control of each storm. We can have peace. But we do need to...run to him.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Where do you turn when a “storm” in your life begins?
2. How can you encourage someone else when they are in one of life’s “storms”?
FURTHER READING:Acts 27:13-25
Stephanie is a mom of three young sons and wife to Dave, who is currently in seminary preparing for chaplaincy in the US Army. In her spare time, she’s employed at a law firm.
Stephanie is a mom of three young sons and wife to Dave, who is currently in seminary preparing for chaplaincy in the US Army. In her spare time, she’s employed at a law firm.
