Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Many times in my life, I have heard a pastor say something like, “You’re either in a storm, just got out of one, or about to go into one.” That saying has lived in the filing cabinet of my brain in the large folder labeled “anxious thoughts” for a long time. What a comforting way to live- thinking that when everything seems to be going smoothly, there is another difficult time looming in the shadows, waiting to overtake us. As if I need anything else to cause me daily anxiety, there is this idea that leads my thoughts to the next tidal wave that will take me under. So much so that it often clouds my ability to enjoy when things are going smoothly and free of difficulty. This has been exacerbated in the last eight months as we have been shaken by our daughter’s medical journey. On May 15, 2024, things were going great other than her having a little cough. Then BAM! On May 16, we were in the ER and then on an ambulance headed to New Orleans for a higher level of care that resulted in a diagnosis of a genetic disorder that poses possible health impacts for the rest of her life. And while the fury of that storm has come and gone over the last eight months, that dark cloud constantly looms overhead, causing me to wonder when the flood will start again, even as I look at her living a relatively “normal” life.

I wish I could tell you that through all of this, my faith hasn’t faltered and I have looked this storm in the eye and laughed, knowing Jesus was in the boat with us. That would be a lie. So many times, my prayers have been like the disciples as they tried to wake Jesus up, because obviously He was deep in sleep, and He just let this hurricane drown us with blow after blow of discouraging news about our daughter. But once I’m done shouting, usually, I’m reminded of His past faithfulness in our lives and that if He is good in the good times, He is good in the bad times.

No matter what phase of this storm pattern we may each be in, we don’t have to live with anxiety waiting for the other shoe to drop. If Jesus is in our boat in the smooth waters, He is still there when the waves and wind threaten us. If He has been faithful before, we have hope that He will be faithful again - that He will quiet the storm and bring us to the other side of it in His plan and His time, which may not be the same as ours. I recently read a line in a devotional that said, “The rain will stop.” That simple thought was so eye-opening.

Hopefully, we can all look back and see how God has worked in the storms of our lives already. And while we may not see it as the winds and rain of life beat us down, He is working. Maybe it is to strengthen our own faith, like the disciples. Maybe it’s to strengthen someone else’s faith as they watch how we navigate a storm. Either way, we are not alone, and we just have to keep sailing until the storm subsides. The rain will stop, and the sun will come out again. And if it feels like Jesus is resting in the storm, then we can too (I know. Way easier said than done!).

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
  
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
  
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.

The Way of Jesus: 7 Marks of Discipleship

As we begin a new series, we encourage you to lean into the 7 Marks of Discipleship each week. The 7 Marks of Discipleship provide a simple tool to help us identify areas where we are thriving in our calling and where we can grow. Check here each week for a new 7 Marks Challenge that will encourage you to follow Jesus closer every day.