Stormy Weather

You can sail safely through any storm.
“He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves.

Psalm 107:29 NLT.

My thoughts today are about, “ Stormy Weather.”

A few years ago on a cruise with friends, Gayle and I experienced stormy weather, and so much more. We encountered a major hurricane off the Pacific coast of Mexico. To avoid the worst of the hurricane, the Captain turned the ship out to sea, choosing to skip the damaged port of Cabo San Lucas where the ferocity of the storm had severely damaged the harbor.

As a precaution, the Captain chose to sail on to our next port, assuming calmer waters. Life happens. Stormy weather intrudes on the just and unjust. Unknown to us, and the ship’s Captain apparently, the hurricane had bounced offshore directly into the new path of our ship.

As a safety precaution, all exterior doors were immediately locked to prevent anyone from being outside the safety of the ship’s interior. High winds and very rough seas described the next couple of days. Some frightened passengers could be seen wearing their bright orange life vests, just in case. What the Captain had attempted to avoid, we now had to confront stormy weather for 36 more hours. Life is like that sometimes.

You will experience stormy weather. You must learn how to safely navigate through such seasons. I hope that I was braver than others, but I was cautiously optimistic. I believed that the Captain and crew were trained and knew what they were doing.

I believed the ship was built for its element and this was an anomaly of weather, rather than a permanent condition. Yes, we safely reached our next port, none the worse for wear but a little stressed by worry. This is a turbulent time, and headlines and news commentary project it as worsening. Uncertainty, assumptions, and confidence are shaken.

Not enough certainty remains. In turbulent times, rest in God’s Word, ”Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28 NIV. Your future is forever secure in Christ.

Your faith is made for stormy weather. It is no great achievement to have faith when all is safe and well with you and yours. Faith is made for times when sickness intrudes your home, when resources are scarce, when questions exceed answers, and when others around you despair.

That is the time to seek God. That is the time to have faith. That is the time to trust His care and provision. The Bible describes the men of Issachar as, “having understanding of the times to know what Israel should do.” 1 Chronicles 12:32. We need more people like that. You need to be around people like that. And you need to be someone like that for others. Faith will weather every storm, when you know God’s Word and listen for His voice.

“Lord, help!” They cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. 29 He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves.30 What a blessing was that stillness as He brought them safely into harbor!” Psalm 107:28-30 NLT. Your God will do the same for you.

My prayer for you today is to know the One who commands the storm.

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