You know what they say, “You’re either going into a storm, in the midst of a storm or coming out of a storm.” In the sea of life, storms come and storms go, and we are tossed about on the waves. How we long for a peaceful leisurely drift but sometimes what we get are gale force winds, waist-high waves and sheets of stinging rain from a cloud that stays right over our heads no matter which direction we go.

The guy who wrote “Row, Row, Row Your Boat Gently Down the Stream” definitely wasn’t riding in our boat. Sometimes we feel like we have to row, row, row our boat just to keep it from sinking. Our stream is more like a rip-roaring river and, as far as life being like a dream, well, who can sleep when you’re battling the rapids?

Jesus’ disciples could relate to our adventures. One night they were taking a trip to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Mark 4:37 says, “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full”. They were sinking.  The disciples were afraid and they flew to wake up Jesus who was sleeping peacefully in the bottom of the boat.  He wasn’t worried at all, but then again He had no reason to be.

In verse 39 it says, “He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

The disciples were amazed about how Jesus calmed the sea.  He asked them why they were so afraid and how it was that they had no faith.  Verse 41 says that they asked, “…What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”  I guess at that point, they hadn’t yet realized that they were out cruising around with the Creator of the Universe.

Jesus rides on our boat too. All we have to do is call on Him for help with our storms.  Then, as a loving Father, sometimes He will calm our storm and sometimes He will calm us.  No matter what His will is for us, He is right there by our side to go through it with us.

Like the disciples, though, don’t we still underestimate his ability to handle the crises in our lives today?  The disciples were just getting to know Him well.  What’s our excuse?  He’s lived with His people for more than 2,000 years now.

We need a life preserver when we face the waves, winds and storms of life. He’s still that same “Peace Speaker” that He was on the Sea of Galilee that night. He loves us and He cares so much about our storms.

Despite the storms out on our sea, we were not meant to stay in the harbor. Sometimes, when we tie up to the dock, storms will come and tear us loose, yes, we were meant for deep water. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” If we’re refusing to pull up anchor and start exploring, how can we be available for God’s best adventure for us?

After a long night of fishing with no catch, Peter was ready to give up.  Aren’t we just like that?  We try, and we can’t so we are ready to give up.  Jesus said, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Luke 5:4.  He obeyed Christ and caught so many fish that it broke his nets.

We may not know what lies out in the deep, but we can know that our Lord is in the boat with us. Untold blessings and adventures are waiting for us, but we have to get out of the harbor.  Is it time to pull up the anchor and trust Him for the rest? As my preacher has said, ”Safety is not the absence of the storm, it’s the presence of Jesus!”

Dear Lord:  Thank You for helping us with the storms of our lives. Help us not to enter our storms kicking and screaming, but trusting You, knowing that no matter how rough it gets, we will be safe because You are with us. Take us on Your adventures. Lead us in Your ways everlasting, and guide us safely through this sea of life. Amen 

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Peter 5:7

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.” Psalm 107:28-31

Are you in a storm, going into one, or coming out of one? Please share your thoughts, comments and experiences.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost. May God carry you safely through every storm, and may you find courage to say “yes” to the adventures He has planned for you.  He will never let you down.