Written By: Ted Weiland | CS St. Augustine
Photo By: Micheal Ragan
The act of surfing can resemble the storms of life. We’ve all been there, on a day when there was a swell, and we were pushing ourselves to paddle out on a bigger day. You choose to paddle out right when the set rolls in, and you can’t see past the waves breaking in front of you. But we know they will pass after countless duck dives. We continue paddling with hope and belief. And we know we will have a break to get a few breaths in and rest before we make it out.
Why do we know they will pass and we will make it out?
BECAUSE WE’VE BEEN THROUGH IT!
We know waves come in sets.
We know and hope that “soon I will get a break and make it out.”
Why don’t we do that in life? Often, with every storm that comes our way, we get stuck in it, dwell in it, and constantly talk about the storm we are in. We talk in defeat. This reminds me of the story in Matthew when Jesus is sleeping on the boat during the storm while the disciples were freaking out!
We usually tend to freak out and try to fix the problem while we are in the storm. If we could just know and trust that Jesus is sleeping, then so can we rest during this. Jesus was setting an example for us — to not worry. If He isn’t worried, then neither should we.
Matthew 8:24: “Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.”
How many times has Jesus always brought you through the storm? EVERYTIME!
What if we had the same mindset we had in storms as we did paddling out? What if we talked in a victory mindset?
We know that this storm will pass just like we know these waves pass, and we will get rest. We will come out on the other side. Why?
Because Jesus is with us! He is the one who commands the winds and the waves.
Matthew 8:27: “The disciples were amazed. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked. ‘Even the winds and waves obey Him!”’
And He does the same in my life! He knows what I’m facing.
Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
So when the storm hits, remember the one who was sleeping in the boat. Let that sink in.