Stepping Stones: Let God Calm the Storms in Your Life

Transformational Thought

Dark, eerie night. Loud thunder! Bright flashes of Lightning! Scary thunderstorms frighten little kids as they know they have no power over these awesome storms. When their parents come down the hall, one of two things happens.

If the child has been obedient to, respectful of, and submissive to their parent’s authority and power over them, the child is confident that their parent has the power and authority to protect them from the storm. They feel comforted and safe in their parents arms.

On the other hand, if the child has disrespected, rebelled against, and overthrown the parents power and authority, and the kid is the one calling the shots regarding privileges and discipline, then the kid isn’t confident in their parents ability to protect them from the storm. Even though the parents come through the door to save them, the kid is still scared and anxious. The child thinks, I have more power than you, so go back and bring someone more powerful than me and this storm to protect me.

In Mark 4, the disciples, some of them experienced fisherman, and Jesus were hanging out in a boat at sea. A powerful storm hits. So powerful that even these experienced fisherman were frightened for their lives. They woke Jesus up and accused Him of not caring if they died. Jesus exerted His power and authority over everything…and calmed the storm.

The disciples put their confidence in themselves and their knowledge, not Jesus and His character, skills, teachings, promises. They ranked their own power above Jesus!

Think about the storms in your life. Are you really trusting God’s power? Being respectful, obedient, and submissive to His authority in all areas of your life? If so, your confidence will come from and be in Him and what He brings to the table. You will have bold confidence, assurance, hope, and peace in the storms of your life. Don’t wait till the storms to trust Him….not because He won’t help you…He will help. Problem is, you won’t believe it because you have been ignoring Him in non-stormy times and putting your trust and confidence in yourself.

Today, examine, even in the little events of daily life, where do you get your confidence. From things that are about you, or from Him? Begin to trust Him in all things. Get your confidence from Him. Then it will be easy and natural to trust Him during stormy times and your ability to navigate those storms will truly miraculous. Your choice…Please choose well.

Prayer
Father, I come to rest in Your loving presence. I know this day and the days before me will bring difficulties. It is my human way to try and think my way through these trials all alone. Please remind me that You are with me…that I am not alone in the midst of this storm. I pray that You will send your peace, the peace that passes all understanding to all those praying and growing with the Stepping Stones Devotionals. My Lord, strengthen all of us and prepare us for this day…transform their fear and anxiety into confident trust in you, their God. I pray this in the name my source of confidence, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth
…and he rose and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea; “Peace, be still” and the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:39

my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?
Psalm 56:2-4

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Jeremiah 17:7-8