Peace in the Storm
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:28-33 ESV)
Often times I feel like Peter. I want to have courage! However when I look at the ‘troubled waters’ of life, and I take my eyes off Jesus. And then I sink!
You see, I often like to control my one stormy waters! But sometimes things are out of my control. One moment everything is calm; then something happens that throws me for a loop.
However, over the last year, when my day seems to get out of hand, I stop. Instead of moving full steam ahead and master the problem on my own strength, I take out my prayer journal and write down my fears or concerns.
Actually I have two journals; one at work for emergencies that arise during my workday, and one at home for my regular prayer time. The one at work seems to get more attention, because I have often ‘prayer emergencies’. But then again is it really an emergency when I stop what I am doing and pray? Or is it more like finding peace in the storm? I would say the later is true.
I noticed that when I write out my concerns, His peace washes over me. I am calm and collective; thinking through the problem rationally. As I said, sometimes things are out of my control. I cannot change the people I come in contact with, but I can change my response to unexpected situations.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:4-7 ESV)
“Lord of mercy and grace. Thank You for always being there to help me with my responses in the storm. All I need to do is stop and look at Your Son to find the peace that surpasses all understanding. Lord, you are good – all the time. In the precious name of Jesus – Amen.
Content Copyright © – Iris Nelson
(previously published November 2014)
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“I cannot change the people I come in contact with, but I can change my response to unexpected situations.”
Beautiful Iris! I have been working on changing my response to the unexpected lately.