John 14:22-31 (Click on reference to read text)

Have you ever felt like you were drowning, and deep down, although you would never admit it, you feel like the Lord had something to do with it? This is exactly where the disciples found themselves. The Bible tells us that Jesus "made the disciples get in the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side" (vs. 22). They acted in obedience and found themselves in the middle of an overwhelming storm.

I've got to be honest, in the past few months, especially since Christmas, I'm there. I feel like I am "battered by the waves" (vs. 24) and "straining at the oars" (Mark 6:48) just to stay afloat. The situations that have arisen were not of my choosing, yet here I am. In the past week I have been treading water just to stay alive, but the most amazing thing has happened every time I feel my head going under, Jesus calls my name.

As a Christian, our highest calling is to be formed into the image of Christ. I have prayed innumerable times that the Lord would ruin everything in me that is not of Him and form me into His complete likeness. However, in order to do that, I have had to get in the boat of obedience, ride the storm, and keep my eyes on Him.

When we find ourselves in the middle of a raging storm, we need to remember we are never alone. Jesus is always right there by our side saying, "take courage, it is I, do not be afraid" (vs. 27). Like Peter, we only start to sink when we take our eyes off of the Savior and start focusing on the waves and wind blowing all around us.

So what do we do? Every moment you find yourself starting to be overwhelmed, ask yourself where are you looking? Are you staring intently into the eyes of your merciful and loving Savior? Just like a loving father teaches and guides his child, the Lord knows that if he never sends you into the storm, you will never have the opportunity to get out of the boat and walk on water. Take comfort in this, He is in the storm with you. He is there to strengthen you. He controls the winds and the waves, and will calm them in His time.

I continue to cling to His garments during this time and rely on the Promises found in His Word. The Lord is stretching my faith, humbling my pride, and breaking me. It is not easy and it is definitely not fun. However, I am learning that His grace is sufficient for me and His power is perfected in weakness (2 Cor 12:9) and that "He is near to the brokenhearted and comforts those who are crushed in spirit"(Psalms 34:18). Without this storm, I would never grow, never learn to "walk on water" in my Faith, and never have the opportunity to solely rely on my Savior. I have so much more to learn, but I can rest in this:

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)