"We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure..."
Hebrews 6:19 (HCSB)
Hebrews 6:19 (HCSB)
The results came in and said it is cancer; the papers arrived and it said divorce; the doctor walked in and said he's gone... the storm has come. Immediately you wonder if you will be swept away or just sink slowly and drown. You feel out of control and after a while you begin to lose hope.
If this is you, then there is hope! Not the kind of hope that you wish or dream of, but a hope that already is and will always be. I'm talking about a hope that anchors you down so you don't get swept away or sink. It's real and safe; not out of control.
This hope is faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the hope for all the world when all things seem lost. This world is dying because of sin, wherefore suffering and heart ache occurs. In contrast, heaven is peace. Jesus, God's son, was without sin and therefore, died for all the sins of the world. This has allowed us to have eternal peace in heaven when we die. Believing in Jesus gives us hope that this will all come to an end when we are in heaven one day. Praise the Lord!
But what about now? How do we get through life when it seems out of control? Remember, God's got it all under control. After Jesus rose from the dead, walked the earth, and then ascended into heaven; He sent His Spirit to help us in times of trouble. He has given you hope.
The disciples had an experience with Jesus in a storm in Mathew 8:23-27, which says, "As He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But He was sleeping. So the disciples came and woke Him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? —even the winds and the sea obey Him (HCSB)!'”
In a storm on a boat, one never puts down the anchor or you will be destroyed by the waves. The boat is safer riding the waves and going through the storm with the anchor on board. Just as the disciples had Jesus with them in their boat, Jesus is with you. He is your anchor in your storm. Don't release Him or take Him off the boat. If you do, you will only be destroyed by your circumstance. Seek His help from the Holy Spirit and trust Him. He will calm your heart, soul, and mind. Scripture says in Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged (HCSB).”
The disciples had an experience with Jesus in a storm in Mathew 8:23-27, which says, "As He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But He was sleeping. So the disciples came and woke Him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? —even the winds and the sea obey Him (HCSB)!'”
In a storm on a boat, one never puts down the anchor or you will be destroyed by the waves. The boat is safer riding the waves and going through the storm with the anchor on board. Just as the disciples had Jesus with them in their boat, Jesus is with you. He is your anchor in your storm. Don't release Him or take Him off the boat. If you do, you will only be destroyed by your circumstance. Seek His help from the Holy Spirit and trust Him. He will calm your heart, soul, and mind. Scripture says in Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged (HCSB).”
You can make it! You won't drown or be swept away. Don't be afraid to ride out the storm. God's faithfulness to provide you with the Holy Spirit to give you peace in the storm is your anchor to hold you, safe and secure. He's got this! Pray and seek Him in the midst of the storm. Let go of feeling out of control and trust God's plan. Hold on to hope; He will rescue you.
"He reached down from heaven and took hold of me; He pulled me out of deep waters."
Psalm 18:16 (HCSB)
"God in heaven, I know you are faithful and in control of my life. Thank you for giving me hope. Please help me let go and trust in you. Give me peace in this storm."
© Carol Outhous Jones 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment