The Storms... of Life

repost... to encourage my heart

"And, behold, there arose
a great tempest in the sea,
insomuch that the ship
was covered with the waves:
but He was asleep.
And his disciples came to Him,
and awoke him, saying,
{Master} Lord, save us: we perish.
And He saith unto them,
Why are ye fearful,
O ye of little faith?
Then He arose, and
rebuked the winds and the sea;
and there was a great calm.
But the men marvelled, saying,
What manner of man is this,
hat even the winds and the sea obey Him!"
(Matthew 8:24-27)

Sometimes, in this ship of Life,
storms come...
opposing winds are blowing strong...
fear of tipping, of being blown off course,
of being torn apart...
may begin to take over...
water may be rushing in...
fear of sinking, of drowning...
feeling of defeat...
of crushing disappointment...
of despair...
begin to circle around and overtake.


Yet, HE speaks...
"Why are ye fearful,
O ye of little faith?"


HE speaks further...
You know Who I am.
You trust me with your soul...
Can you not trust me in this storm?


Yes, Master, I do know...
But, shamefully,
the fear and the feelings
remain.


The wind stops...
The waves cease...
The water no longer floods in...
HE spoke it.
HIS hand was in it.


I marvel...
regrettably, I marvel in surprise...


Despite my weak faith,
HE shows me...
proves to me, mercifully,
when HE does not have to...
reassures me in a way I can see...
because of my little faith.


Humbled... repentant...
HIS forgiveness I seek...
and HE freely gives...
and HE warms my heart
as if I can feel HIM
embrace me...
patiently and lovingly
telling me to believe.
Just believe.


Even when it seems like
HE is sleeping on the ship
in the middle of the storm...
HE is still on the ship.
HE does not leave me alone.


The storms come and go...
HE remains... the same.
And even better...
HE controls the storms that come...
and HE has a purpose...
a loving purpose...
and it's for my own good...
for HE is Good.


Thank you, YHVH...
for Your goodness,
beyond my understanding...
for Your faithfulness
when I am faithless...

for lovingly, mercifully, graciously
teaching me, growing me,
and leading me along...

that though I am unworthy,
I am precious in Your sight.
I thank
and praise You.





{photo courtesy of allposters.com}