Storms at Christmas Time

So many people focus on the presents under the tree when the Christ Child which came is totally left out. So many people during this part of the year go into deep depression. Most of the time it can happen during any part of the year as storms will come to each of us. I once heard a preacher say that if you aren't in a storm just wait a little while and one will hit you. He said you had either just come out of a storm, was in the midst of one or about to have one hit. Jesus did say that in the world we would have trouble but to take heart for He is in the world.

When storms of life hit me I become overwhelmed and can’t see past my pain. As I focus on the storm I feel as if I am sinking from the weight upon my heart. So I have learned to talk to God when I am in the storm. Just last Sunday night I heard a wonderful sermon on storms of life and thought then I might need to share the truth I learned with someone.

The preacher began with the reading of Matthew 14: 22-33. It is the story of Jesus walking on water in the midst of a storm that was tossing the disciples boat to and fro. The preacher said he could preach a whole sermon on prayer from this passage as Peter cried out to Jesus. He said Peter could have prayed a long prayer but he just cried out “Jesus save me!” The preacher said just be real before God. He sees your pain and He sees your hurt and He knows what you are thinking and how your heart is. But then the preacher said I’m going to talk to you about storms not prayer and there are 2 kings of
storms. 1) Correcting Storms that might come from disobedience or messing up. and then 2) Perfecting storms which God will use to build truth into our lives.
This preacher gave us 5 anchors to throw out during the storm. These disciples were instructed by Jesus to get in the boat and go before Him to the other side. It was the sea of Galilee. They encountered a problem or two. First they were 5 miles from shore and the direction of the wind was against them and the darkness of the night kept them from seeing the shore. The preacher said we could focus on vs 22 and know (1st Anchor):God called these disciples to the storm and He calls us to the storms of life. Everything in our lives is sifted through the hands of God to allow happen. He said God is far more interested in our being holy then happy. He is building Jesus into our lives. God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts greater than ours. Jesus said we will have trouble in the world but to take heart for He has overcome the world.
Anchor 2: God’s power protects me in the storm. Mark 6:47 where this same story is told tells us that Jesus saw in the darkest night from the mountain where He was praying the disciples tossing in the sea. That is a miracle as the night was black with no moon yet Jesus saw the disciples 5 miles from shore, tossing in the sea. Jesus sees you and me in the most terrible storms and He prays for us. He sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us to the Father. He sees and cares that we are being tossed within the storm. The disciples were not thrown from the boat or drowned because of the storm.
Anchor #3: Jesus presence comes to me in the storm. Psalm 23 “though I walk through the shadow of death, thou art with me”. Precious words of comfort aren’t they? We have the assurance that no matter what we go through in this life, Jesus is there with us, never to leave or forsake us. Isaiah 43:1-3 helps us to know that when we are in the storm He sees and prays and sustains us.
Anchor:#4 His power sustains me here even in the storm.
John 6:2 says ‘But He said to them, it is I, do not be afraid. Then they willingly received Him into the boat and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.” .
Anchor #5 Jesus will give us victory not freedom from attack. He will be our greatest hope within the storm. The wind and waves obeyed Him and became still. He will quiet the waves and the greatest fears within in as we lean on Him during the storm. He will be our strength and He will be our joy. I often try to sing praise in the storm as I have learned that when my soul is downcast if I sing praises to Him who holds me my soul with lift into the arms of Him. Him who cares for me even greater than the sparrow which falls. 1 Peter 5:7 reads “Cast all your anxieties upon God for He cares for you.” I claimed that during a storm, memorized it and used it many times to encourage others.

So as you go through this Christmas season just remember what it's all about. If some storm hits just lean on Jesus and He will get you through.

Keep the Faith,


Mom