He stilled the storm to a whisperHave you ever received a phone call that shattered your world? A call that made your stomach turn in an instant? The kind of call that made you say 'this cannot be true'? At some point in life we might all receive a call like that, without warning. A loved one passed away, a family member had a terrible accident, you are being laid off at work... well, you can fill in any scenario that would shock your world.
I remember the few times when I received bad news, without warning. It made the world stop and at the same time years and years of memories would flash through my mind, like time didn't exist. The storms of life can come upon us just like that. Unlike the natural storms and tornado's we experience here in the USA, which are being foretold by the weather channel. In Jesus' time there was no weather channel and when He was in a boat with the disciples on the Sea of Gallilee they encountered a natural storm. Matthew 8:24 says,
Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.
Without warning! They did NOT see it coming. That is how the storms sometimes hit our lives. The only preparation we can take is to make sure we have Jesus in our boat! He knows how to calm a storm, better yet; He teaches us how to speak against the storms in our lives! Speaking peace into troubled situations is no more crazy than speaking to a mountain or a mulberry tree! Jesus didn't talk ABOUT the storm, He calmed it down. Psalm 107:29 says it beautifully,
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
I want to use my words the way He did it!
I've discovered that sometimes the unexpected storm is an opportunity, too... not always bad news. I just got an opportunity that hit me like a kick in the stomach because I don't feel prepared for what God might be doing! But the same principle is true. I need to speak peace -- God's Words into the situation -- and trust Him. Thanks for good insight, Marja.
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding that insight Dawn, not every storm is bad news! Sometimes we just need to wake up from our slumber!
ReplyDeleteGreat insights! So true that it's less important to talk ABOUT the storm than to calm it. It's also less important to talk ABOUT Jesus than to talk to Him directly :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you,
Susan
Thanks Susan, it's better to talk to someone than about someone! I've also learned that talking about our storms will only emphasize the matter, not calm it down.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Marja! Oh the peace that followed those words of the Master! I'm so glad we have direct access to such an amazing God!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit over @ Life Lessons. I'd really love to sample Dutch cooking! Do you ever travel to Georgia? Maybe you could share a recipe with me?! Glad I'm not the only one who has to constantly practice balance when it comes to 'being' and 'doing'. Thanks for your encouragement! Blessings to you, my friend! :)
God seems to do things suddenly too, not just with the storms entering our life, but with answers to prayer when we think there is not going to be any response. Suddenly He is thereBlessings,
ReplyDeleteWyn
Hey Wyn, thanks for adding your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteHi Marja -
ReplyDeleteI've had several of those life-altering phone calls over the years. When our foundation is Jesus, the house can withstand the storm.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Thanks Susan for visiting and adding your comment, I appreciate the input!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by @ Life Lessons! Great point! I seem to have to remind myself of that fact pretty often! Have a blessed week, my friend! :)
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