Life is often compared to as a voyage. Many things have been written or spoken about our lives being like a ship sailing on the sea of time and somehow or some way, we will make it safely to shore. During the sailing process, there are times of clear sailing and other times of rough sailing because of the storms we encounter. Some of the storms are beyond our control and others because of our own actions. All of us know that life will never be void of the storms; however, the one thing to remember is that the storms are not necessarily the destroyers; it is our reaction during and after the storm, that determines our destiny. One must never allow the storms to take away ones hope; hope is the beginning of success.
There are some great lessons found in the Bible (Matthew -32) concerning the disciples and a storm they encountered. Jesus had sent them into the boat to go to the other side of the lake. It was when they were past the point of no return, that a great storm came and it looked like they would be lost. It was also at the darkest time of the night, between three and four in the morning and light of day still seemed so far away. Note some very special principles that we can apply in our life.
· Following God’s perfect instructions does not guarantee exemption from the storms of life. Most of us have experienced the storms in the shape of sickness, death, family issues, or financial difficulties and have asked, “Why has God allowed this to happen to me?” One thing for sure is that He is always watching over us in the storms of life and takes the initiative to help us.
· It is safer in the “boat” than out in the sea. “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”[1] When we find ourselves in the storm, knowing we are following God’s plan for our life, we must remember that He brought us here and He can and will surely take care of us.
· The solution is usually found in the things we fear most. The disciples feared the waves and Jesus came walking to them on the waves. They were so concerned about the circumstances around them and their own safety that they did not even recognize Him. Do we not fall into this same situation and fail to see the answer to our problems because of fear. “…the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”[2]
· When He climbed on board, He spoke peace to the wind and the waves and they at once obeyed His command. There were times He spoke to the circumstances and times He spoke to the individual. However He speaks, the result is the same.
None of us enjoy going through the storms in our voyage of life; however, the storms give us opportunities to surf the waves and use these storms to take us to places we have never been before. When we face the problems of life, we can look at them as problems or opportunities. We can use the problems as obstacles or see them as opportunities to move to a higher plane of living. Let’s learn to surf the waves in our Voyage of Life!
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.”[3]
