BE STILL IN OUR STORMS- SERIES 1

Storm does not Indicate the Absence of God

MARK 4:35 -41

It seems hard to believe that we could be blown by the gentle wind.

It looks bizarre that we could fall down by the mild and calm breeze.

Because when there is a storm, we come prepared. We are strong.

We move forward, we are aggressive, and we are wise but cautious.

Many of us stand strong during a roaring hurricane but we fall with the gentle wind.

Because at the end of the struggles, we lost our strength.

We started powerfully but we ended up weak.

Do not be blown by the gentle breeze.
Not another Monkey Story

One time super monkey taunted the mighty wind for competition as he said “ Mighty Wind, I know you are deadly and powerful but today I will prove to you that your power has no might against me. Give what you got and I will triumph over you.”

The Mighty Wind agreed to Super Monkey’s request and started to blow a strong force wind. The monkey braces himself on the trunk of a tree while branches of the tree started to break.

The monkey just laughed and teased Mighty Wind saying “ Is that what you got!!!”, so the wind again with might blew a very strong wind that almost makes the tree bend to the ground nearly breaking it but the monkey stayed strong and held his ground.

Suddenly, the wind became quiet and seems nothing happen. The monkey stands proudly in bewilderment. Then a cold, gentle, calm breeze started to blow and the monkey started to feel asleep. His hands holding onto the trunk became loose and he fell to the ground.

STANDING STRONG IN THE DIFFERENT STORM

As we go over to the other side where God is leading us, expect that we will pass through different storms in our life.

All of us pass through different storms in life.

A storm is part of our journey.

We may be standing strong amidst all our difficulties but some find it hard to battle their storms.

1 Cor.10:13 says that all pass through different storms and no one is exempted.

When you know that you will be in a fight, you will come forward prepared and expecting the worst yet with determination to win at the end of each round.

Manny Pacquiao will not face his opponent unprepared.

Defeat is not an option that is why he moves with courage and confidence. He is brave and tough.

But a storm is not about the gale wind, the frightening lightning, the roaring thunder because in life we could be facing some covert storm.

In this situation, we see our friends in their best suits but they have this emotional crisis. We envy people with their expensive BMW but they are three months lagging on their monthly payment. We admire people with them but they are behind with their amortization. We look at people as vibrant and energetic but they are in a battle with their sicknesses. We want the position of our boss but they cannot sleep and take a vacation because of so much stress and pressures at work.

But here are the 5 LIFE lessons we need to understand HOW TO BE STILL in our storms.

1. STORM DOES NOT SIGNIFY THE ABSENCE OF GOD

“THE PRESENCE OF THE STORMS DOES NOT INDICATE THE ABSENCE OF GOD.”

The presence of storms in our life does not mean that God is not with us. In fact, the presence of God is with us.

In fact, it is the presence of God that sustains us in battle the storm in our life.

Psalm 46:1 says our God is our very present help in times of trouble.

God is present in our tribulations, in our sufferings, and in our struggles because He is a very present help in our times of need.

Call upon the name of the Lord and he will be with us.

It does not mean that when we are being shaken by the strong wind, God is absent.

It does not mean that God is sleeping in our boat and don’t care about us.

The disciples were so terrified that they ask Jesus if He doesn’t really care if in times were about to die.

God may be silent but it does not justify God’s absence nor deny His existence

Because when we are in the midst of our storm, we may not feel Him, we may not see Him, we may not hear of Him but it does not indicate that he already jumped off from our boat.

Using our eyes makes us more afraid.

Amid storms, it is dark, there is chaos and we cannot see him. That is the reason why we have to walk by faith and not by sight.

But God is present and He is with us.

We may have that suffering, tribulation, or problems but God is not jumping off our boat. He is with us.

Call upon the name of the Lord and He will come to your aid.

May His presence sustain you amid the storm,

Mikesendon