Fear in the midst of a life storm can be the worst part can’t it?  Sure the challenge is tough but the worry and fear can be debilitating.

In this story we looked at previously Jesus’ disciples are caught in the midst of a ferocious storm at night on the Sea of Galilee.  They’re about to capsize when Jesus comes walking to them on the water.

He hasn’t calmed the storm, it’s still raging.

Yet, he says to them, “Take courage.”  What he tells us as well.

Then before the storm slackens he offers them and us one of his greatest gifts.

He says, “Don’t be afraid.  I’m with you.”

Suddenly everything changes.

The storm still rages.  The boat is still being swamped.  But suddenly things are different.

Jesus is there with them in the same way he’s with us in the midst of our storms.

Jesus never promised we wouldn’t go through storms.  But he did promise we wouldn’t go through them alone.

We can sense his presence.  Hear his quiet inner voice.  See him working in the midst.

Then that brings us his peace.

Frankly, often the fear of what may come is the worst part of the storm isn’t it?  Jesus simply says, “Don’t be afraid.”

When the disciples focused on Jesus rather than the storm they found that peace and power they so desperately needed.

The same peace and power we can find.

*Matthew 14: 24-26

We all get blindsided by storms in life don’t we?  Everything is running along smoothly when suddenly we’re swept up in a storm beyond our control and ability to solve?

In the story we looked at previously the disciples are in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, sailing at night when a nor’easter swoops down on them unexpectedly.  They’re struggling in a gale worried about joining their friends who’d lost their lives in the same situation.

Yet, just when it seems bleakest Jesus comes walking to them on the water.

Interestingly though the storm keeps raging.  Jesus didn’t immediately calm it.

Perhaps they had something to learn.  Perhaps we do too?

Jesus said to them, “Take courage.  Don’t be afraid.  It’s me.”

First, take on courage.

See at this point we have a choice.  We can thrash around in fear or we can choose to rest in God’s power.  We can choose to expect God to act or we can choose to let the storm overpower us.

Second, we do this by focusing on Jesus.  Look at him instead of the storm.  Trust him that he can calm the storm.

Third, look for God’s answer.

The disciples almost missed seeing Jesus.  They thought he was a ghost.  They weren’t expecting him.

How often does God come to calm the storms in our lives yet in a surprising way that we don’t expect?

Then he took power over the storm and subdued it.  Just as he will for us.

*Matthew 14: 24-26

We all go through storms in life don’t we?  Maybe you’re in the midst of one right now.

Our dreams are being crushed.  Life spins out of control.  And there just seems to be no answer.

That’s what I love about this story of Jesus and his disciples.

The disciples had just finished a day watching Jesus perform miracles.  Now they’re sailing across the Sea of Galilee on a star lit night relaxed in the afterglow.

Suddenly one of the notorious nor’easters hits them.  Winds whip their sails.  Waves crash over the bow.

They’re terrified.  Each one knew someone who’d drowned in one of these common ferocious storms.

Their thinking, “Why me?  Why did we ever take off?  Why didn’t we just stay on land tonight?”

That’s the often the worst part of the storm isn’t it?  The second guessing, the rehashing our decisions.

Now they can do only so much.  They’re sailing into the wind and making little headway.  They’re bailing water but not keeping up with the waves crashing over the side.

Everything they know just isn’t enough.  And they’re exhausted.

Ever felt that way?  You’ve tried everything you know but it just isn’t working this time.  And now you’re exhausted and bewildered.

Yet, in the darkest hour of that night, when all seems lost, Jesus comes.

He tells them to take courage.  What he tells us to do as well in the storms of our lives.

*Matthew 14: 24-26