|
|
Written by Phillip & Vivian Carter of SONrise Evangelistic Assn., Inc.
Reprinted with permission
Making It Through the Storms of Life
Luke 8:22-24 - Now on one of those days, Jesus and his disciples got into
a boat, and he said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake."
So they launched out. But as they were sailing along, He fell asleep; and a fierce
gale of wind descended on the lake and they began to be swamped and to be in
danger. They came to Jesus and woke him up, saying, "Master, Master we are perishing!"
And he got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves and they stopped, and
it became calm.
From this text, let me make a few simple observations. The disciples were in the
boat of the unknown - the boat of transition. Learn from their experience, you
will be in this boat many times. How you respond in this boat determines your
maturity level in Christ. It was just one of those days. They were just sailing
along. It was an ordinary day and the disciples were not expecting a storm.
Most of the time we don't expect them either, but they come just the same.
They began to be swamped and in danger. This is exactly how we feel when our
circumstances overwhelm us. We note Jesus fell asleep. Doesn't it often seem
that Jesus is asleep and we are in the middle of a storm? We are wondering
where he went. What did we do to disappoint Him? What sin did we commit to
separate ourselves from Him? Why doesn't He care about our situation? Why doesn't
He stop the storm now? Why are obvious sinners having an easier time
of it than we?
When we are in the boat of the unknown, the boat of transition, our first
goal should be that the boat does not capsize - that we do not have a shipwreck
in our faith.
Ten Questions to Ask Yourself to Prevent a Shipwreck in Your Faith
1) Did I make my own storm? Am I in sin? Some Christians pour gas on themselves,
strike a match and hope nothing negative will happen. There are always
serious consequences to our sin.
2) Am I suffering because of someone else's storm? Am I co-dependant? Every
Christian will have enough trouble and tribulation without willingly taking on
responsibilities which God has not allotted to them. Proverbs 26:17 - Like
one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not
belonging to him.
3) Is there a pattern? Am I going through the same storms over and over
again? Some examples are relationship problems, financial stress, health
problems, family problems, etc. If so, God may be trying to reveal to you
a character flaw that needs to be corrected or a generational curse that
needs to be broken.
4) Is my passive behavior causing the storm to last longer than necessary?
This is a trap that more mature Christians can fall into. Generally speaking,
the new believer depends more on his own strength than God's and is constantly
trying to work situations out in his own strength. The more mature Christian,
however, tries to be dependant upon God, but in so doing he sometimes falls
into passivity, a great tool of the enemy. He believes he is pleasing God by
not acting on his own will, but waiting instead on the will of God. What God
desires is that the Christian becomes active in lining his will up with God's
will. If he becomes passive, the enemy will have accomplished his goal of
deception, and the Christian will be suffering needlessly.
5) Have I listened to Godly counsel? When you are in the middle of a hurricane
it is difficult to get your bearings. Others who are not in the storm can see
more clearly, and it is good to receive counsel from them.
6) Am I withdrawing from fellowship? This is another trick of the enemy. When
we need fellowship the most, the enemy tricks us into withdrawing because
of insecurity, depression, etc. Instead, we should find someone going through
a similar storm.
7) Am I maintaining my daily devotion? It is amazing how sometimes in the
middle of a storm, Christians do not even keep up the basics of their walk
with the Lord.
8) Have I been lulled into a spiritual sleep? Is God sending the storm to
wake me up? Most storms come because of the grace of God, not because of
the judgement of God. I thank Him for every storm He has sent my way.
9) Am I angry with God? If so, tell him and tell Him why. It isn't like He
doesn't already know! The enemy is trying to get you to break off communication
with God. Don't let this happen. Be explicitly honest with God, even if your
feelings are negative.
10) Am I asking why - instead of asking what? The biggest question is
what, not why. What do You want me to do to get out of the storm? What are You
teaching me? What can I do to help the kingdom while I am in the storm? How
can I use this storm to help others? What other Christians are experiencing
what I am experiencing, and how can I help them? What charictaristic of your
nature are you revealing more clearly to me? What negative charictaristic of
my nature are you trying to reveal to me?
|
|
• 
• 