WHEN YOU ARE IN A STORM!

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

The disciples and Jesus in a storm.
Key points to note:
Conclusion

Have you been going through some kind of storm that is weighing you down? Have you been experiencing something so unlikely that causes you to wonder if God is present? Maybe you feel so left behind and are wondering if your life will ever take form. Or maybe God has redirected you and now you are experiencing a storm and wondering if you will ever experience victory? Today I have a word for you. God has something for you and it will often come in the places you least expect.

It is interesting how we always think that for us to make it we have to go through the same procedure that others have. But we have to get to where we realize that the paths that we now consider common were pioneered by someone too. You do not always have to follow the same path as everyone else in order to be successful.

Just because something is unlikely doesn’t mean it is impossible. You can forge your own path with God. You can walk down a path that is less traveled and still come out on top. In fact, there are moments when God will take you back so that He can launch you forward. And oftentimes it is going to take a storm for God to launch you forward. Sometimes it is the storm that will catapult you. Are you in the storm now? Could it be that God is preparing to launch you forward? Let us look at the scripture in Mathew 14 to help us unpack the lessons.

The disciples and Jesus in a storm.

Before we can look at the storm, let’s look at the events that led up to the storm. Jesus heard the news about John’s death. So He got away to digest the information.

When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully—someone saw him and the word got around. Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick. Toward evening the disciples approached him. “We’re out in the country and it’s getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get some supper.”

But Jesus said, “There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper.” “All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish,” they said. Jesus said, “Bring them here.” Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples then gave the food to the congregation. They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed.

As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.

Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.

But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”
Matthew 14:13‭-‬33 MSG

Key points to note:

Jesus was in a storm of His own, but He channeled His pain to serve others. He did not stay stuck in that funk, but rather used what He was feeling to bring even more glory to God. God will oftentimes use the storm as an opportunity for others to see His glory unveiled. And it is up to you to decide if you will partner with God to see His glory manifested on earth.

Serve when you are in a storm.

Jesus was in a storm of His own. His cousin had been beheaded and yet while He was in the storm He noticed other people’s needs and decided to cater to them. When you are in a storm it is vital that you serve someone else. Jesus took care of the crowd and fed them. He could do nothing about John’s death, but he could do something about feeding the crowd.

So in moments when you are in a storm find someone that you can help. Maybe it’s someone who is sick that you can pray for. It does not have to be something major. It could be something as simple as helping someone perform a task that they are having trouble doing. Any time you serve others, you get your mind off of your storm and this gives Jesus access to your storm. He will come through in your storm, but He will do so as you serve others.

There is no storm that Jesus cannot calm

Before Jesus calmed the storm at the sea. He calmed the storm of hunger. He fed the 5000 people. The disciples got to experience every aspect of Jesus and realized that there was nothing too big for Him. This same truth should be etched in your mind. There is no storm too big for God. If He can calm the sea and silence the waves if He can feed a multitude, what can’t He do? He can even walk on water in the midst of a storm. Why can’t He come through for you?

What storm are you facing today that you need God to come through for you? Where do you want to see God move through for you? He has the power to do it for you. Will you trust in Him? Will you give Him the room to come through for you in those places that you are struggling with?

Jesus will show up in unexpected ways.

The disciples could not discern that it was Jesus because He showed up in a way that contradicted their beliefs. We all know that people do not walk on water, it is not impossible, it is just unlikely. But just because something has not been done before doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Are there things that have not been done by people of your lineage that God is calling you to but you find it hard coz it is unchartered territory? Isn’t it funny that after all the miracles the disciples had seen, they still limited Jesus? It doesn’t matter how many miracles you’ve seen Jesus do in your life, you still don’t know everything there is to know about Him.

In fact, we need to realize that Jesus always wants to reveal to us different facets of who He is and not just what we know. After all, He takes us from glory to glory and unless we are open to His ways, regardless of how different they may seem, we will miss out on His fullness. Maybe you have had a relationship with Jesus for a long. Today I want to challenge you to not get too familiar with Him.

There are ways He wants to reveal Himself to you that you have yet to experience. Tell Him that you are open and that He can lead you in whatever paths He wants to. One thing you can be sure of is that Jesus will always show up, but He will show up in ways you do not expect. He is full of surprises. You can plan. But Jesus is the one who will direct your steps. Today I want to encourage you not to dismiss your answer because it came in an unexpected form. Be careful not to dismiss Him just because it is not familiar.

Jesus is present in the storm

The disciples, while they were in the midst of the storm, did not know that Jesus was present. They thought that they would navigate the storm alone. But isn’t it interesting that Jesus showed up while they were in the storm and not when they were okay? He wanted them to know that in the storm He is present. This should serve as an encouragement to you that Jesus is always present when people are going through a storm.

What storm are you facing today? Jesus wants you to know that He is present. You might not feel Him. This is because when you are in the storm, Jesus will not show up as you would expect. The disciples did not expect Jesus to walk on water; they thought that He was a ghost. Jesus will not show up as you would expect. But you have to trust that He is present.

Delay is not denial

The disciples had a head start. They had the right means and started before Jesus, and yet Jesus caught up with them at the last minute. And to top it all up, He did so despite the storm that was raging. As human beings, it is very natural to feel like everyone else is advancing while you remain stuck, especially when people around you seem to be progressing while you remain stagnant. But today I want to encourage you by saying that we serve the God of Divine acceleration and as long as you are in Him, you will get there.

Something to note is that Jesus was late because He was in prayer and fellowship with God. Don’t expect to experience acceleration unless you are in fellowship with God. If God has called you to spend time with God. If He is taking you through a season of isolation and separation, do not worry. He knows that you need all these things in life and He will get you there in time.

It might look like it is late for you to accomplish some of these things, but when God says it is time, you will get there and it will look like you have always been. Delay is not denial. What things have you been waiting for? I know it seems like it will never happen but I promise you, it will as long as it is in alignment with His word keep on keeping on. We can all agree that Hannah never thought she would get kids and at the time all she wanted was one, but God gave her five. When the time is right, everything will happen so fast, you will be awestruck.

Everything will happen so fast, one thing after another. Everywhere you go blessings.
Amos 9:13

Conclusion

The presence of a storm does not negate the presence of Jesus. He is the one who calms the storm. If God does not calm the storm in your life, He wants you to experience another aspect of who He is that you did not know before. One thing we have to realize is that God is Sovereign. And even the storms will work out for our good. Jesus will never take you through anything unless He has something glorious on the other side of your storm. The disciple got to see another aspect of Jesus. They got to realize that He was overall and Sovereign. They realized that Jesus not only fed people, but He could also calm the storm and even walk on water. There is no storm that Jesus cannot silence.

Let us stop limiting God and realize that He is overall. Today, think of all the ways that you have limited God and ask for His forgiveness. Last, spiritual stamina can and will get you there right on schedule. You might feel left behind, but as long as you are with God, He will get you to your destination. He is with you and wants to help you. You are not alone. The storm is just a season, it will pass. God is present in the storm.