When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” – Matthew 14:26-33
Do you believe it’s possible to have hope in the Storm?
Being an island girl, I’m very familiar with storms. In my neck of the woods, we have a period of not just one or two, but five whole months earmarked for storms. Yep, it’s a thing.
From June to November of each year you’ll find us either preparing for a storm, in the midst of a storm, recovering from a storm, or my personal favorite: thanking God we were spared from the storms.
So, yes, I know storms quite well.
But in the summer of 2017 my storm experience escalated to a whole new level.
That was the year my little island country (the British Virgin Islands) was slammed by storms like we’d never seen before. In fact, we made history that year when we were visited by the most powerful Atlantic hurricane ever.
Hurricane Irma was also the first Category 5 storm to made landfall in the region and its winds amazingly remained at or above 185 miles per hour for 37 hours.
The energy generated by the storm (7 trillion watts of energy) was twice as much as all bombs used in World War II. The force was so powerful that earthquake seismometer’s recorded it. This storm didn’t get the nickname ‘Irmageddon’ for nothing.
Not satisfied with one history-making event that year, we hit the news again 2 weeks later with another Category 5 hurricane. Areas that were spared by the first hurricane now had a chance to be in on the action.
Friend, it’s only by the grace of God that I’m alive today. Honestly.
In the Aftermath of the Storm
The storms caused widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure, disrupted basic services and led to the loss of lives and livelihoods.
I shudder every time I recall the 5 horrific hours my husband and I spent with our 13- and 11-year old huddled in my daughter’s closet while Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc around us. As we prayed, sang and begged God we gave up hope of saving our belongings, if only He would spare our lives.
But God was merciful, and while we suffered great material loss, our lives and the lives of those we love were spared.
What followed was a devastating period of upheaval.
The immediate aftermath was scary and unsettling to say the least. We feared for our children’s wellbeing and for our own as many were desperate to find clean water, food and shelter – the basic necessities of life.
Life for us, became a matter of survival.
Overnight, we went from being a scenic island playground known as ‘nature’s little secrets’ to what looked like a bombed-out war zone in desperate need of humanitarian aid.
A couple weeks later we were able to find relief with family overseas. While I stayed with the children, my husband returned home to work, to rebuild our home. And for the next four months we lived apart as we began to rebuild our lives.
We are forever grateful to the family, friends and even people we barely knew who pitched in to help us get back on our feet, literally and figuratively.
It’s been a year and a half since the storm and we’re still recovering. It’s been a long, arduous road but God has been faithful.
The Toughest Storms of All
Now, I imagine that you’ve never experienced storms as intense as I have. Perhaps not in a physical sense anyway.
But there are storms of life that tend to toss us back and forth as we struggle to gain our footing. I have a feeling that you might be familiar with that type of storm.
I know this because the storms that hit us in 2017 paled in comparison to some of the other storms I’ve faced in my life.
Like the storm that overpowered me when my youngest brother disappeared on a fishing trip. No amount of searching or praying could bring him back and two years later I’m still reeling from the pain.
Then there was the storm where hospital visits and hospital stays went on for months and months. But in the end, the doctors couldn’t change the outcome or stop the tears from flowing. The diagnosis was final: there would be no coming back home.
You see my friend, the storms that hit us hardest are not the ones earmarked on a calendar. No, the storms that knock the wind out of our sails are the ones we never saw coming.
The storms you wish you could wish away.
The storms that never seem to end.
Yes, those are the toughest storms of all and those are the ones that threaten to steal our hope. But don’t despair.
Hope in the Storm
Right here in Matthew 14:26-33 we find the courage we need to face any storm.
We see Jesus inviting Peter to courageously step out of the boat, even as the waves beat against the sides. Jesus’ invitation and Peter’s response give us insight into how we too can respond when faced with storms.
1. When storms come, God invites us to take courage and have faith in Him (verse 27)
2. We are overcome by the storms when we take our eyes off Jesus (verse 30)
3. The storms in our lives serve to increase our faith and the faith of others (verse 33)
And best of all:
4. Trusting God empowers us to overcome the storm (verses 29 and 32)
So, you see, friend? Storms will come but God is the One who will enable us to withstand and overcome them.
The One who Stills the Storms
While the ‘hurricane season’ allows us time to prepare for the storms, there are many storms in life we will never see coming. If we only relied on our storm preparations, we’d be blindsided every time.
Our hope and our trust are better placed in the One who stills the storm – Jesus.
No matter what storm you’re facing, no matter how high the waves, Jesus invites you to take courage. You might falter, you might even start to sink like Peter did, but Jesus is always there to catch you and lead you back to safety.
So, take courage, dear friend. Trust in Jesus when the storms come and He will restore your hope. Let Him take you by the hand and lead you to safe ground. He’s willing and waiting.
Prayer for Today:
Father, I am so grateful that storms, though they come, do not have the power to overpower me. I thank you for Jesus who spoke to the waves, walked on water and commanded the seas. He is our sure hope in any storm and I trust in Him. When I doubt, restore my hope, dear God and remind me to put my hope in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
To view all of the topics in this series, check out our Stories of Hope page, and discover how others have chosen to live a life of hope, despite life’s greatest challenges!
| Marva | SunSparkleShineLiving life to the full, brilliantly!w.www.sunsparkleshine.comSee what’s sparkling now: When You Make it Your Goal to Draw Close to God |
About Marva:
Marva Smith is an island-living, sun-loving, Christian wife and mom.
She has successfully transitioned careers, welcomed reinvention and is always on the lookout for what God is doing next.
She enjoys showing women how to sparkle and shine for God by living fully and abundantly right where they are (John 10:10).
You can find her writing about her life and faith on her website SunSparkleShine.com as well as Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram. Get a free copy of her e-book You Were Made to Sparkle here.
Friend, if you are in a difficult season right now – your heart is broken and you’re struggling to process – this devotional is free to you today. It will walk you through the storms of life, and help you find your way back to Hope. It’s yours by simply clicking here.
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Marva, thank you for this account of your literal storm, the recovery, and then the application to the storms that sweep over our lives–unexpected! God is our only hope in the changing waters of life. Thank you for strong words of testimony and exhortation.
Thank you, dearest Michele. You are so right! What hope do we have besides the Hope we find in God?
Blessings to you, dear friend.
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Thank you Marva, for sharing your deeply touching story with us. I am so thankful that even when the storms of life come, they will not overcome us! Jesus is the One who stills our storms. <3
Yes, He still does! No matter how big, strong, overwhelming our storm might be, Jesus has power over those waves.
Thanks for the invitation, Rachel and for reminding me that my story is worth telling. You have blessed me greatly!
Hugs and blessings to you.
Marva, I remember when I found out that you and your family were affected by this storm. I prayed for you but had no idea about all these details. I am glad to know them now, and I am praising God for the restoration. Now I will keep praying for full recovery for you, friend.
Thank you for your prayers then and now, Sarah. I completely believe that it’s prayers like yours that give us the strength to keep believing and keep looking for hope in the aftermath of the storm. Our God is able to see us through this and more. Nothing catches Him by surprise.
Be blessed, my friend.
Marva, this is such a touching and wonderful application for us all to remember. I am so sorry for the storms which you have had to endure but grateful you have used them to teach us all how to face the storms of life. This is what I have written down today >> “Our hope and our trust are better placed in the One who stills the storm – Jesus.” And this is a hope that will not disappoint!” Thank you both, Marva and Rachel, for this encouraging post today! Blessings!
Thank you, Joanne. I don’t think any of us would wish to go through a storm of any type but you’re right, there are lessons that deepen our faith that we then get to share with us. God is so good, isn’t He?
Marva, I remember praying for your family when I found out you were in the path of Irma. I too am familiar with the devastation of both hurricanes and tornadoes. Your testimony of hope is exactly what we all need to hear more of, and I’m grateful for this message in the midst of your intense circumstances. Although it’s never something we would choose, storms are often the best agent for growing and grounding us more fully in our faith.
Wow, Crystal, I’d never even know what a tornado was like until Hurricane Irma, where we got to experience tornadoes firsthand. That sound is something I don’t ever want to experience ever again!
Bless you for your kind words. I’m grateful that God saw you through your own storms and gave you stories to share for His glory!
I’m so thankful for the hope we can have in Jesus. No matter what this world brings, we can rest secure in Him! Thanks for sharing your story with us, Marva!
So glad to meet you here today, Emily. Yes, we can rest secure. That is such good news!!!
Blessings to you.
Wow, Marva! You have faced some tremendous storms in your life–literally and figuratively! I do hope things are getting back to more of a normal life for you and your family! But your faith inspires me! And I agree, God will be there for us to help us in and through every storm we face. You’ve encouraged me today, my friend! And I’m grateful that Rachel shared your story with us.
What an amazing Testimony to the God who holds onto us through any storm!
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Marva, what an amazing story of hope and God’s grace. Thank you so much for sharing!
Oh, Marva, thank you for this.
I am so glad the Lord kept you and your family safe. You are truly a blessing, and He has blessed you with such wisdom and encouragement to share. Thank you for your words, your faith, your hope.
May God bless you today and every day my precious sister.
Thank you so much, Lois. I’m so glad you joined the conversation and we got to meet here today. It makes me happy that my story (even the painful parts) can encourage someone else. Our God truly is amazing!
Blessings to you.
Your account and testimony is so moving, Marva. Thank you for sharing words of encouragement with others who are struggling in the midst of their own storms.
Blessings to you,
Tammy
Thanks for the encouragement and the reminder that I can keep my eyes fixed on God no matter what storm comes!
Marva, thank you for sharing these powerful words and your story! Storms will come but as long as we remember Who is holding us in the midst of them, we will be able to make it through. So thankful you and your family are ok and are still in the process of recovery. Praying for you all!
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