by Jan Dravecky
The story of Jesus walking on the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee and calling Peter toward Him is one of Jesus' best-known miracles. It's a powerful image that is easy to describe and remember. It represents so vividly the choice we have when we face the storms of life.
When we pay attention to God and focus on Him, there is a sense in which we walk above the problems that surround us. It's not that we are no longer threatened. It's not that our pain is gone. The problems and challenges are still there, but we have hope and can remain peaceful in spite of the turmoil that swirls around us. The moment we pay attention to the storm and take our eyes off God, however, we lose our peace and begin to sink into the depths of whatever struggle we are facing.
I've spent my fair share of time sinking beneath the storms of life. At one time I thought it was impossible to have peace in the midst of a storm. There was even a time when I was so overwhelmed and desperate that I despaired of life. But like Peter, I've learned that I don't have to succumb to the storm. I have learned that I can be at peace even in the midst of the most terrible storm. I can be at peace because I can safely place my hope in Jesus my Savior, who is greater than any storm.
But I'm no spiritual giant. My peace ebbs and flows. Just because I can choose to focus on Jesus doesn't mean I always do. To be honest, I hate surprises. I like to be prepared. So when a storm hits, it initially throws me for a loop. I pay attention to the storm. When the shock wave hits me, I worry, I am afraid, I get angry, I feel guilty-I experience a whole list of peace busters. But I have learned that I don't have to stay there. I can choose to change my focus from the storm to my Savior.
The Scriptures say we are going to have troubles in life, but they also give promises related to those troubles. So when I'm sinking, I consciously choose to remember the promises and faithfulness of God. I go through the mental exercise of remembering God's promises. I recall Deuteronomy 31:8, which says, The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." I read Isaiah 43:1-3, so that I can be reminded that God promises to walk beside us through our trials. The words of Philippians 1:6 assure me that God will not abandon us, that He will continue to work in us. When I feel weak and vulnerable, I focus my thoughts on John 10:27-29 where Jesus says that nothing can snatch His followers out of His hand.
Those promises are the first things I call to mind. They remind me of what is true about God and my relationship with Him. Next, I remember what I have experienced in my walk with God.
I have lost my focus at times in the past and have felt that God's promises wouldn't be true for me, but I have also seen that God is faithful to keep His promises even in the most difficult circumstances. As I recall the monuments of God's faithfulness in my life, I can see that some of the biggest disasters of my life-things I never would have chosen-have turned out to be the biggest blessings in my life. By focusing on these memories, I am reminded that the challenges I face today, although still painful, are not the end of the story.
When I start focusing on God rather than on my situation-no matter how bad it is-an amazing peace overcomes me and I'm able to walk through the storm. This does not mean my situation improves or my pain goes away. It simply means I have peace in the midst of the storm. I have peace because I have hope. I have hope because God is trustworthy. I can trust His promises. I know He will be faithful to do what He says He will do.
The Bible tells us we will have trouble in life but that we can take heart, we can be encouraged, and we can have hope because God is the victor (John 16:33). Our hope is not in what takes place on earth. Ultimately our hope is in heaven. No one can take that hope away. Nothing can strip us of the joy of knowing that no matter what happens to us on earth, we will spend eternity with God in heaven.
When our hope rests firmly in God and our relationship with Him, we will have peace. But, like Peter, we sometimes lose our way. Something will happen that throws us off track. We may look away from Him, we may doubt His Word, and peace will escape us.
Just because we lose our way and start to sink doesn't mean we will perish. The secret to peace is being able to refocus our attention on God in the midst of the storm. When peace becomes elusive, I've learned to look for what has taken over my focus. If I am worried, for example, I know I need to refocus on the truth that God is trustworthy.
We're imperfect human beings. For those who call themselves Christians, learning to focus on God and give Him control is our lifelong pursuit. Peace is an overflow, a by-product of our relationship with Him. It is available to the weakest of us in the midst of any storm."
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