Finding Hope in Life’s Storms: The Anchor of Jesus

I would like you to watch the following music video before reading.

Let’s delve into the concept of who or what serves as your anchor in life’s storms. Storms are an inevitable part of our journey, irrespective of our religious beliefs. But who or what do you turn to when you face a storm? Is it a beloved actor or musician? Is it material possessions like money, food, or alcohol? As a Christian, your anchor should not be any of these things. It should be Jesus. Jesus, who created you, Who knows you better than you know yourself, Who alone can guide you through life’s storms.

As the song goes, “When the solid ground is falling out from underneath my feet.” When a storm does come, it can feel like the very foundation of your life is crumbling. But remember, you need to rise, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward. In Matt 8:24-26, it’s narrated, “And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”  This passage from the Bible illustrates that Jesus was peacefully sleeping while the storm raged outside. When the disciples, fearing for their lives, woke Him. He simply calmed the storm. If He can do that, don’t you think He can do the same for you?

Why was Jesus asleep during the storm? He was sleeping during the storm because He knew He had it all under control. His disciples, not so much. They were running around trying to bail water out of their boat. Are we not like that sometimes in our life. It seems like everything is going wrong, so we try in our own strength to make life right. I have news for you: if you are a Christian and you aren’t following Jesus, your life will never work out.

The song says, “When the storm is raging, my hope is gone. When my flesh is failing, You’re still holding on.” Remember that when the storm around you rages, you have lost all hope, and your flesh is failing. You may fall or lose sight of Jesus. But He never leaves, and He never loses sight of you. In Psalms 23:1-6 the Bible says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”  That is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It says that if you are a Christian, the Lord is your shepherd, and you have everything you need and nothing to fear. The NIV Bible says, “Through I walk through the darkest valley.” Are you walking through a dark valley right now? If so, I encourage you to take hold of Jesus’ hand. He will lead you through the valley and help you climb the mountaintop.

Why do we have storms in our life?

We have storms in our lives for two reasons. One, Jesus sends us storms because we don’t do something He asks us to do. Two, Jesus is trying to teach us something.

In Jonah 1:10-15, the Bible tells the story of Jonah; Jonah was a man of God, and God told him to go to Nineveh. But Jonah did not want to go. So, he went to Tarshish instead to escape what God wanted Him to do. But while he was on the ship, God sent a storm to send Jonah in the right direction. The men of the boat threw him overboard, and immediately the storm calmed. So if you are going in a direction that Jesus does not want you to go, He will send a storm to get you in the right direction.

Jesus uses trials and storms in our life to teach us something He wants us to learn. The key is to figure out what Jesus is trying to teach you. Talk to Him and read your Bible to find that key. Jesus is not up in heaven trying to make you guess the will for your life; He will let you know what it is. You have to ask and listen.

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