This is a rerun of an earlier posting. Considering the times, I thought it appropriate.
Is there hope in the midst of life's storms? The obvious answer is yes. Then why do I still feel so hopeless and so alone when facing life's difficulties? How do I correct the disconnect between knowledge and emotion? It is so much easier to speak the truth to others then to personally experience the truth in the storms of life.
Where do we begin? Let's start with the Word of God and view both sides of the picture. Let's see the difference between what the disciples perceived to be true and what was really true. In Mark's gospel, we read that as the disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee at night a storm arose. It as a raging storm that threatened to capsize their boat and cast them helpless into a raging sea.
How did the disciples respond? Their response was one of aloneness and a paralyzing fear. Why? They neither fully understood the person of Jesus nor remembered his teachings. While they were in the midst of the storm, what did they fail to realize? They were totally unaware that Jesus was praying for them and that He was totally aware of their dilemma. Mark says that from the mountain top where Jesus was praying "he saw them toiling and rowing."
Faith makes real for us two very important truths. The first is that Jesus sees us when we cannot see Him. Secondly He is with us even when He is physically absent.
We must learn to focus on these same two truths. The first, the Bible tells us that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. [Hebrews 7:25]
The next truth has two facets to it. He has promised never to leave or forsake us. [Hebrews 13:5, 6] Since this is true, He is always knows our difficulties.
How then do I keep from the same disconnect the disciples experienced? How do I keep from feeling a sense of aloneness that allows me to be overcome with fear and hopelessness? Let me suggest four simple thoughts.
First, be a good student of the Word of God and commit the truth of God's Word to memory. Second, remind yourself of theses truths as often as possible so that in difficult times they will be a source of comfort and hope. Third, recognize there is no disconnect between the physical presence of the Lord and His presence. Jesus does not have to be physically present to comfort and strengthen us. Lastly even though you do not feel Jesus presence, it does not mean He is not present. His protective presence is always with us but our comfort comes from the knowledge of His presence. How many times while here on earth did Jesus heal someone while being physically absent from that person?
True faith not only believes something is true but obeys the truth. In times of difficulty stop, remember and pray. Let the truth control our feeling, not our circumstances.
There is one overriding truth that makes all this possible and provide us with hope in difficult times. Jesus is the Son of God, sovereign ruler over all things. It is He who says to us in the midst of life's storms, "Be of good cheer! It is I: do not be afraid."
Is there hope in the midst of life's storms? The obvious answer is yes. Then why do I still feel so hopeless and so alone when facing life's difficulties? How do I correct the disconnect between knowledge and emotion? It is so much easier to speak the truth to others then to personally experience the truth in the storms of life.
Where do we begin? Let's start with the Word of God and view both sides of the picture. Let's see the difference between what the disciples perceived to be true and what was really true. In Mark's gospel, we read that as the disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee at night a storm arose. It as a raging storm that threatened to capsize their boat and cast them helpless into a raging sea.
How did the disciples respond? Their response was one of aloneness and a paralyzing fear. Why? They neither fully understood the person of Jesus nor remembered his teachings. While they were in the midst of the storm, what did they fail to realize? They were totally unaware that Jesus was praying for them and that He was totally aware of their dilemma. Mark says that from the mountain top where Jesus was praying "he saw them toiling and rowing."
Faith makes real for us two very important truths. The first is that Jesus sees us when we cannot see Him. Secondly He is with us even when He is physically absent.
We must learn to focus on these same two truths. The first, the Bible tells us that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. [Hebrews 7:25]
The next truth has two facets to it. He has promised never to leave or forsake us. [Hebrews 13:5, 6] Since this is true, He is always knows our difficulties.
How then do I keep from the same disconnect the disciples experienced? How do I keep from feeling a sense of aloneness that allows me to be overcome with fear and hopelessness? Let me suggest four simple thoughts.
First, be a good student of the Word of God and commit the truth of God's Word to memory. Second, remind yourself of theses truths as often as possible so that in difficult times they will be a source of comfort and hope. Third, recognize there is no disconnect between the physical presence of the Lord and His presence. Jesus does not have to be physically present to comfort and strengthen us. Lastly even though you do not feel Jesus presence, it does not mean He is not present. His protective presence is always with us but our comfort comes from the knowledge of His presence. How many times while here on earth did Jesus heal someone while being physically absent from that person?
True faith not only believes something is true but obeys the truth. In times of difficulty stop, remember and pray. Let the truth control our feeling, not our circumstances.
There is one overriding truth that makes all this possible and provide us with hope in difficult times. Jesus is the Son of God, sovereign ruler over all things. It is He who says to us in the midst of life's storms, "Be of good cheer! It is I: do not be afraid."
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