Face Your Storm

Text: Ephesians 6:12-18; Isaiah 41:10

The phrase ‘face your storm’ shouldn't scare you as a believer. It will not take long for a Christian who has made the commitment to walk by faith to realize that there is a demonic host arrayed against the body of Christ. James 1:2, 3, specifically tells us that our faith will be tested by various trials hurled at us by the evil one.

There is a curse on the earth and our adversary the devil is a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). What should the born-again believer do when the storm clouds of life cast their dark shadows over their head? The answer is simple. Fear not!

One of the most important lessons Jesus taught His disciples was not to fear. Satan is a corrupted angel and fear is corrupted faith. It is the substance of things not desired. Faith is when you believe what God says and fear is when you believe what the devil says.

Face your storm

On one occasion, Jesus and His disciples were on a boat in the midst of a storm and to the dismay of all the others who were in fear, Jesus was sound asleep. This fact alone conveys the message that storms are not a cause for alarm with Jesus on board. Isaiah 54:14 says, “In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you.”

Storms are not a cause for fear or panic for the born-again believer, and with Jesus on board, you can have the bold confidence to stand up and face your storm. A cattle rancher in Montana made a discovery that taught him a lesson for living life. The winters in Montana are brutal and only the strong and hardy cattle can survive.

This rancher observed that the cattle who marched headfirst into the blizzard always survived while the cattle that turned their tails to the storm died. The rancher found this breed frozen against a barbed wire fence with their heads down whereas he found the other cattle who faced the storm alive and well, strong survivors! With Jesus on board, you can face your storm and fear not. Psalm 118:6 says, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man (or the devil) do to me?”

The storms of life come to prevent the forward progress of the work of God being done in and through the lives of all willing believers. If tests and trials are raging against you then this can be a joyful testimony that you are in the process of doing something good for the kingdom of God. Victory is assured and the winds will cease when you realize that storms are in reality your stamp of approval that you are indeed flowing in the will of God for your life.

Philippians 1:28 (AMP) says, “And do not for a moment be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such constancy and fearlessness will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of their impending destruction; but a sure token and evidence of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.” There is never any forward motion without resistance and if you are to continue to be a vessel of honor for the Lord, you must never let a storm delay your plans and interfere with the calling on your life.

Matthew 14:25, records how Jesus in another storm walked out to the boat where His disciples were in spite of the horrific conditions around Him. The blowing wind and pounding rain did not interfere with what He set out to do. Did you ever wonder why Jesus did not calm the storm before He set out on His journey to walk across the lake? When you think about it, the question is not a hard one to answer.

Jesus always walked in faith and faith never looks at the circumstances. Peter, on the other hand, also stepped out in faith and walked on the water. He was operating successfully until he began to consider the natural circumstances that were round about him. He took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at that which was contrary to what he believed. He looked at the wind instead of the water beneath him which was by faith holding him up. It was at this moment when fear and doubt entered in and immediately the impulsive Peter began to sink. Moments later, after being rescued by Jesus, Peter’s faith returned and he walked back to the boat clinging desperately to his Lord.

Face your storm

Here in this story is the contrast between being a winner and a loser. Winners always look to where they are going “to”, whereas losers always look at what they’re going “through.” Jesus was looking at His destination on the other side of the lake while Peter looked at the stormy conditions which he thought was able to prevent him from accomplishing what he set out to do. Jesus faced His storm and Peter did not.

Peter can be commended, however, for his desire to be with the Lord and knowing where to turn for help when the need arose. If only more of us would learn this lesson. Even more importantly, to be sure, is the lesson Jesus wants us to learn from what He did. Jesus wants us to get out of the boat and walk in His plan for our lives while not considering the contrary circumstances that the storms of life are sure to bring. Remember, in the midst of the storm is where Jesus was and He is looking for followers who will step out of the security of their boat and follow Him.

Notice carefully that Jesus was not in the boat during the time of storm. No, He was on the water walking toward His ultimate destination. Today, He is still looking to and fro for those who are willing to face the storms of life by getting out of their boat and using their faith to hook up to the super-natural power of God. He is looking for believers who will “launch out into the deep” and stretch their faith so far that without Him they would sink.

Do not be terrified when the odds seem to be against you and don’t give up the first time a door is slammed in your face. Become like David who with bold confidence ran toward the giant Goliath. Be ready as a Christian to face your storm with faith and when the storms of life come your way, you need to get stirred up, get out of the boat, and use your faith. This only happens when you have the courage to rise up and face your storm. If a herd of cattle in Montana can do it, surely you can too!

*** Written by Randall J. Brewer ***

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