Facing the Storms

Have you ever been at the beach and stood in the water as you watched the waves rolling in? I remember walking out into the water as the waves came crashing upon me. I wasn’t afraid. The bigger the wave the more exhilarated I felt when it would slam into me. Some even pushed me back up on to the shore. some of the waves even stung as they came down on me. When I had enough I would walk out of the ocean and sit on the sand and continue to watch the waves come rolling in. I was happy and at peace.

Unfortunately I do not face the storms in my life in the same manner. I see the trouble and panic. The girl who could stand in the ocean and brace herself as the ocean slammed against her wave after wave disappears when problems arise in her life. No longer planted firmly on the ground, I get tossed around with every wave of trouble that hits me. Something is wrong with this picture. How can I face an ocean wave and feel joy, when that wave could easily carry me off and drown me, but become terrified because of someone or something brings trouble to my life or worse I get myself into trouble without anyone’s help.

James 1:2-3

² Count it all joy, my brothers,^[a] when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

John 16:33

³³ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

These are just two scriptures on joy,peace and tribulations. There are many more, but I will let you search for those yourself. I list these verses to show how one can have peace and even joy when the world slams against you like an ocean wave. I shared with you how the ocean waves did not steal my peace or joy, even when I saw waves that towered way above my head come crashing down on me. Then on the flip side I shared how the tribulations I face in this world terrify me and unsettle me. Yet in my mind I know I should be able to face the trials and tribulations in my life in the same manner I face the ocean waves. I need to look at the problems coming at me no matter how big they may seem like those waves. Being assured that after they hit I will still be okay, and even peaceful and filled with joy. I need to be able to stand on God’s Word and not fear what ever may come against me. David as a boy defeated Goliath, and Gideon led men into battle with only torches, clay pots and a trumpet and God gave him the victory without even having to fight. If God did this for them will He not do the same for me and you, especially since He sent His son to pay the price for our sins. Jesus redeemed us with His blood, and he would not have done this if He did not plan for us to live victorious, free from fear and doubt. I can no longer be double minded tossed around every time trouble comes at me. I must keep my eyes upon Jesus and trust He will not let me drown in my distress.