This month we have been experiencing some pretty strong storms that have been hitting us back to back!  They have caused much damage; floods, trees falling, fences falling down, roofs collapsing, cars stuck in flood waters, power outages and even deaths!  We have been told to prepare and stay in and hunker down, but you know, this could get kind of scary! We all know what affects us in the physical will impact the spiritual as well.

When we encounter storms, there is a shaking that takes place on the inside and we ask ourselves:

• Am I prepared?

• How long will this last?

• Will I make it through?

MATTHEW 14:24-32 NLT

“Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

We too are a lot like Peter, we can think we are ready till the storms come.  Peter started with his eyes fixed on Jesus-the author and finisher of his faith, walking on top of the circumstances but in the midst of the storm he began to look on the left and the right and became distracted by the severity of the storm, forgetting that with God nothing is impossible! Nevertheless when his fear and emotions overtook him, Jesus stepped in right on time and redirected his faith back to where it needed to be- on Him! 

Storms will reveal many things to us about ourselves.  We can think we are prepared, but are we?  

• Do we have enough faith to make it through?

• Are we really trusting in God?

• Do we really believe His Word?

You won’t really know until you actually encounter the storm!

HEBREWS 6:19 AMP

This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells].

After the storm had passed I sat looking out my window at the sun glistening on top of the water and enjoying the beauty of His creation all around me!  This was the calm after the storm! The storms of life will come and go and will rock your boat but we must remember that we belong to the One who is greater than any storm!