I like the mountain top experiences in my walk with the Lord and when I feel close to Him, but I know that may faith doesn't grow there as much as in the deep dark valley of trials. None of like to go through trials. We like the smooth traveling roads, but sometimes life gets bumpy. There are times when the road of life resembles a road in Northern Maine in the spring time. If you have never had the experience of traveling a road in Northern Maine in the spring time just trust me it is a lot bumpy with pot holes and frost heaves and other bumps.
Life can get bumpy even when at first things seem to be going smoothly, but you know what? We never have to travel that bumpy road of life alone. The Lord Jesus promises us that if we are trusting in Him as our Lord and Savior that He will be with us each step of the way. Jesus promises us that He will never leave us nor will He ever forsake us.
The storms and challenges that come against us can be scary and severe. We must take courage and trust the Lord to see us through no matter what. The Lord will be with us each step of the way and He will empower us through the Holy Spirit to persevere during our trial.
I remember reading of when the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee in a small fishing boat and a storm came upon them. The boat was tossed back and forth. Water was pouring into the boat. The disciples were terrified as anyone of us would be. That is how we feel sometimes when our lives are rocked by a storm of life. The storms that come against us come in the form of money problems, job loss, death of a loved one, or an illness. The storms of life and the challenges they bring can catch us off guard. We feel nervous and scared. Our thoughts race and we wonder to ourselves, "Does Jesus care?"
That is what the disciples asked Jesus in the middle of the storm they found themselves in. Jesus had been sleeping while the storm raged all around the little boat. We can read about what happened in Mark 4:35-41 which says,
"35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”
36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.
37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
We can rest assure that Jesus does care for us in the trials and the test of faith that come against us throughout our lives. Jesus loves us and He will take care of us no matter what we find ourselves facing. We can also be sure that Jesus no longer requires sleep and He we won't have to wake Him up when our little boat gets hit by a raging storm.
The Lord Jesus is the One who can calm the storm that is coming against us. We need to trust the Lord when the storms of life come against us. The disciples were so scared, but they knew where to run to in their time of need. They ran to Jesus and that is what we must do as well.
We troubles come against us we must run to Jesus and call our to Him in prayer. We also need to reach out to other believers in Christ and have them call out to Him on our behalf as well. We need one another and we need to lift each other up in prayer. Sometimes we try to do things on our own, but that doesn't work out for us most of the time. We need Jesus and we need other believers in Christ Jesus.
Last month I was taken by an ambulance to the hospital with a high pulse rate. It was 140 or something and I was afraid. It turned out my heart was fine. I even had a 48 hour heart monitor and my heart is healthy. My experience was stress and anxiety related. I had a panic attack. While I had my follow up doctors appointment I mentioned my sinus problem that I have been struggling with for many years. They constantly feel irritated and full. So, my doctor suggested I get a x-ray of my sinuses. The doctor called me today and they discovered something that they weren't expecting. The pouch that contains my pituitary gland is swollen bigger than it should be. So, that means that I need to have another test to see what exactly is going on. My doctor told me not to worry and not to lose any sleep over it. I am one of those people that worry. I try not too, but I still do.
I am thankful that I know the Great Physician and that He is with me in my boat no matter what happens next. Hopefully everything will turn out alright, but I would like to ask you to pray to the Lord for me. Pray that whatever happens that the Lord would us this experience to draw me closer to Him and draw people to Himself. I would like to thank you for praying for me ahead of time and I will pray for you as well.
The Lord Jesus cares about you and what you are going through. God demonstrated His great love towards each one of us by sending Jesus to die on the Cross for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead in the third day and one day He will return to the earth. We must come to the Lord by faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior in order for us to be saved and have a home in Heaven. I am thankful that I know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Jesus died for my sins past, present, and future. I am thankful that I will spend eternity with Him in Heaven because of what Jesus did for me on the Cross by dying for my sins. I am thankful that Jesus cares. I care for you and I hope you have come to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Lord,
I praise Your Holy Name.
Thank You for caring for us so much.
I pray for each one that reads these blog postings.
Touch them with healing and encourage each one to keep seeking You.
Thank You O Lord for all that You provide us with.
Help us not to be afraid.
Empower us through Your Holy Spirit to live for You and to trust You in the midst of our storm.
In Jesus Name we pray,
Amen.
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