Stepping Stones: Let God Calm the Storms in Your Life

Transformational Thought

Remember back to when you were a small 5 year old. Dark, eerie night. Wind blowing and making mysterious noises. Booming thunder! Bright flashes of Lightning! Scary thunderstorms frighten little kids who know they have no power over these awesome events. When their parents come down the hall, one of two things happens.

If the child has been obedient to, respectful of, and submissive to a parent’s authority and power over them, the child is confident that the parent has the power and authority to protect him from the storm. The parent’s words and actions will soothe, and the child will feel comforted and safe in the parent’s arms.

On the other hand, if the child has disrespected, rebelled against, and overthrown the parent’s power and authority, and the child is the one calling the shots regarding privileges and discipline, then he isn’t confident in his parent’s ability to protect. Even though the parents come through the door to save him, the child 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 and Jesus were hanging out in a boat at sea. A powerful storm hit. So powerful that even these experienced fisherman were frightened for their lives. They woke up Jesus and accused Him of not caring if they died. Jesus exerted His power and authority over everything … and calmed the storm. The disciples were putting their confidence in themselves and their own knowledge, not in Jesus and His character, skills, teachings, and promises. They ranked their own power above that of Jesus!

Think about the storms in your life. Do you really trust God’s power … are you respectful, obedient, and submissive to His authority in all areas of your life? If so, your confidence will come from and be in Him. You will have bold confidence, assurance, hope, and peace in the storms of your life. Don’t wait for the storms to trust Him … not because He won’t help you … He will help. The 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 the source of your confidence, even in the little events of daily life. Is your confidence in the elements that are about you, or in 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 life’s storms will truly be miraculous. Your choice … Please choose well.

Prayer
Father, I come to rest in Your loving presence. I know that today 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 these storms. 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 all our fears and anxieties into confident trust in you, our Lord and 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