What to do in a sinking boat

It is always exciting when Jesus says to us, "Let's do a new thing." To me the phrase, "Let us go over to the other side" (Mark 4:35), is equivilant to saying, "Promotion is coming," or, "Blessings are on their way," or "Come up higher," or any variety of phrases God uses to communicate to us that it is time to change.

I am sure the disciples were excited to see what would happen on "the other side." What they did not expect or foresee was a raging storm on the way!

The disciples probably were not nearly as excited in the middle of their voyage as they may have been in the beginning,

Although God often calls us to launch out to a new destination. He usually does not let us know what is going to happen on the way. We leave the security of where we and start out for the blessings of the other side, but it is often in the middle where we encounter the storms.

The middle is often a place of testing.

The storm that the disciples experienced was no little "April shower" or harmless summer squall, but a storm of hurricane proportions.

The waves were not gently rolling and tossing, they were beating into the boat with such fury that it quickly filled with water. That would be enough to frighten anyone.

The storm was in full force,and Jesus was asleep! Does that sound familiar? Have you ever had times when you felt that you were sinking fast, and Jesus was asleep? You prayed and prayed and heard nothing from God. You spent time with him and tried to sense his presence, and yet you felt nothing. You searched for an answer, but no matter how hard you struggled against the wind and waves, the storm raged on and you did not know what to do about it.

We sometimes refer to those seasons as "the midnight hour" or the dark night of the soul."

At times like these, when it looks like the boat is sinking with us in it, we must use our faith. Jesus simply wanted his diciples to believe Him. He said, "Let us go to the other side." He expected them to believe that if He said it, it would happen. But, like us, they were afraid. Jesus calmed the storm, but He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith.

It is vital to our future that we grow in faith, which shows confidence and trust in God. We must learn to conquer our fear and press on the other side. We must also learn to have peace and joy in the midst of the storm, not only when it has passed.

Written by Joyce Meyers (The Everyday Life Bible)

Be blessed Everyone
Patricia PS HAVE FAITH!