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Weathering The Storms Of Life
BY CHARLES F. STANLEY
Reflecting
on the divine purpose in hardship can help us respond to trials in a
God-honoring way as we seek to understand the lessons He wants us to learn
through life’s dark moments.
But when
a storm arose while they were out on the Sea of Galilee, fear took over.
Amidst
the roaring waves and with the boat rocking, Jesus’ chosen ones failed to
recall the lessons they had learned about the power and purposes of their
leader.
Even the
appearance of Christ walking on water didn’t bring immediate relief (Matthew 14:26).
When
trouble strikes, we sometimes forget our knowledge of God, too.
We
struggle to recall past answers to prayer, specific guidance provided by the
Holy Spirit, and lessons learned in previous crises.
Only the
present seems real. Our minds spin with future implications, and our troubled
emotions inhibit clear thinking.
In our
own strength, we lack sufficient resources and abilities to meet life's
challenges. So God provides what we need.
Our
suffering is never a surprise to the Lord. He knows everything we are going
through.
More than
that, He’s orchestrating our circumstances for His glory and our
benefit, according to His good will.
Reflecting
on the divine purpose in hardship can help us respond to trials in a
God-honoring way.
Let’s
take a moment to fix our attention on the Lord and seek to understand four
lessons He wants us to learn through life’s dark moments:
1. One purpose for hardship is cleansing.
Because
of our own "flesh" nature and the self-absorbed world we live in,
it's easy to develop selfish attitudes, mixed-up priorities, and ungodly
habits.
The
pressures that bear down on us from stormy situations are meant to bring these
impurities to our attention and direct us to a place of repentance.
Our
trials are intended to purify and guide us back to godliness, not ruin our
lives.
2. A second reason we face difficulty is so we'll be
compassionate and bring comfort to others.
God's
work in our lives is not intended solely for us. It's designed to reach a world
that does not recognize or acknowledge Him.
The Lord
uses our challenges to equip us for serving others. As we experience suffering,
we will learn about God's sufficiency, His comforting presence, and His
strength to help us endure.
Our
testimony during times of difficulty will be authentic. Those to whom we
minister will recognize we know and understand their pain.
What
credibility would we have with people in crisis if we never experienced a deep
need?
3. Third, God promises us He'll provide a path
through any trial we face.
The
disciples probably wondered how long the storm would last and whether they
would make it safely to shore. Most likely, they wished it never happened.
But, had
they somehow avoided this storm, they would have missed the demonstration of
Jesus' power over the sea and wind.
The
frightening situation was transformed into a revelation of the Savior's divine
nature. God wants to make His power known through our trials, as well.
4. The most important thing He gives us is an awareness
of His presence. At first, the disciples believed they were alone in a
terrifying storm.
When they
initially spotted Jesus, their fear increased. They thought He was a ghost. But
as they recognized Him, their fear changed to relief and hope.
Similarly,
we may not sense God's presence during a crisis. But He has promised to always
be with us (Hebrews 13:5-6).
The
assurance that the Lord will never leave provides immediate comfort, an
infusion of courage, and a sense of confidence to endure.
No one
enjoys suffering. But in the hands of almighty God, trials become tools.
He uses
hardship to shape believers into the people He intends them to be.
Jesus
allowed the disciples to experience the fear and anxiety of being in a boat on
a raging sea. He permitted them to suffer because He had something far more
important to teach them.
He wanted
the disciples to recognize their own helplessness, His sufficiency, and their
dependence on Him.
Ask God
to reveal His abiding presence in the midst of your trouble.
And
remember — He always provides for your spiritual needs to help you both endure
and grow stronger in your Christian faith.
Charles F. Stanley is the founder of In
Touch Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author.
While his teaching is transmitted throughout the world to millions of people,
Dr. Stanley has been said to demonstrate a practical, keen awareness of
people's needs and provide Christ-centered, biblically-based principles for
everyday life.
Dr. Stanley’s motivation is best represented
by the truth found in Acts 20:24, “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for
doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the
Good News about God's mighty kindness and love.” This is because, as he says,
“It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.”
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