A few days ago, a good friend of mine sent me an article that he wrote called Defining Moments. For several days, I was too busy to read it. Well last night, I was tossing and turning after the events I wrote about yesterday, and so I decided to read it.
His article references Matthew 8, when Jesus calmed the storm. It centers around the idea that our lives are shaped by unexpected circumstances that come and rock our world. How we handle them can strengthen our faith and the faith of those around us - or it can weaken it. He writes, "Each one of them was going about their business when suddenly an unexpected storm rocked their world and threatened their livelihood. Circumstances in our lives will surprise us and will, at times, cost us the possessions we value most. These circumstances are defining moments intended to strengthen our faith and encourage those who have not yet found a personal faith to cling to and call their own. Too often, we forget Who it is that we claim to follow; the One who has the power to calm our storms and reestablish our footing on solid ground."
I feel like I'm going through a defining moment right now. It's very difficult to handle. Well-meaning but conflicting advice from friends and family doesn't really help, either. But God wants us to lean on Him in times of trouble. Not on ourselves, not on our friends, not even on our family - on Him.
So I encourage you, just like my friend encouraged me: when the storms of life come, don't freak out. Don't overreact. Don't fall apart. Don't run away. Lean on the Lord, and He will comfort you and protect you and guide you through the storm. You might not emerged unscathed, but you will emerge alive, and stronger than you were before.
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
His article references Matthew 8, when Jesus calmed the storm. It centers around the idea that our lives are shaped by unexpected circumstances that come and rock our world. How we handle them can strengthen our faith and the faith of those around us - or it can weaken it. He writes, "Each one of them was going about their business when suddenly an unexpected storm rocked their world and threatened their livelihood. Circumstances in our lives will surprise us and will, at times, cost us the possessions we value most. These circumstances are defining moments intended to strengthen our faith and encourage those who have not yet found a personal faith to cling to and call their own. Too often, we forget Who it is that we claim to follow; the One who has the power to calm our storms and reestablish our footing on solid ground."
I feel like I'm going through a defining moment right now. It's very difficult to handle. Well-meaning but conflicting advice from friends and family doesn't really help, either. But God wants us to lean on Him in times of trouble. Not on ourselves, not on our friends, not even on our family - on Him.
So I encourage you, just like my friend encouraged me: when the storms of life come, don't freak out. Don't overreact. Don't fall apart. Don't run away. Lean on the Lord, and He will comfort you and protect you and guide you through the storm. You might not emerged unscathed, but you will emerge alive, and stronger than you were before.
Matthew 8:23-27
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
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