September 14, 2024
Never before has life been more chaotic. More stressful. More intense. More expensive. We need some calm in the chaos. Of course, the Bible speaks to that.
In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus told the disciples, “Let’s go to the other side of the lake.” They did. A storm came. They were terrified.
Just because the disciples were with Jesus didn’t keep them from being in a storm. Obeying Jesus is the BEST THING. But that doesn’t mean we will always have unicorns and rainbows.
Just because the disciples were with Jesus didn’t keep them from being afraid. They were human - like us. We, too, can become fretful and fearful. What can we do? Since storms will always be coming, we need an action plan.
The next time a storm comes, we can take the very word STORM and use it for good.
S - Stand in His Strength. Not your own. I cannot stand in my own strength, but I can in HIS. Ephesians 6:10 tells us, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
T - Take Him at His Word. All through the Bible, God tells us He will be with us. He will not leave us. He will deliver us. He will help us. He will rejoice over us. We can believe every single word. It is our defense against worry, anxiety, and over-thinking. If we take it up, it is a weapon. If we take it in, it is a balm for our soul. Hide it in your heart and mind. Carry it in your pocket. Write it on your mirror.
O - Overcoming is possible with Christ. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace (or calm in the chaos). In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Overcoming is a mindset. I can’t overcome on my own. But overcoming is possible with Christ.
R - Rest in His Presence. I’m not talking about laying on the couch rest, but leaning on Him rest. In the OT, Exodus 33:14 tells us, “The LORD replied, ‘My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” In the NT, Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Rest, too, in knowing everything is not dependent on you, but on Him.
M - Move at His leading. (AKA: Don’t burn down anything. Don’t jump off anything. Don’t post anything. And you may not want to get a tattoo about it.) We can act when we are emotional, in fear, anger, jealousy, depression, frustration, from hormones…or because of the full moon. Before we overreact or do something crazy, let our first move be to call on our heavenly Father. Ask Him for guidance. Then move when and how He says.
That day on the lake, the disciples panicked. They forgot Who was with them. They yelled, “Don’t you care?” Oh, yes, He did. And He cares about us. As we face storms in life, we can count on Him. He will give us calm in the chaos.
A mini squall kicked up a few days ago. My heart was racing, mind spinning, emotions bubbling. I spoke my STORM plan. Out loud. S - Stand in His strength, T - Take Him at His Word, O - Overcoming is possible with Christ, R - Rest in His presence, M - Move at His leading. It helped!
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