REFLECT ON WHAT JESUS SAID.
…Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake…
Matthew 14:22a NLT
So faith comes from hearing the message…
Romans 10:17 GW
I will never leave you or abandon you Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Hebrews 13:5b, 6 CSB
I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world.
John 16:33 MP
2. RECOGNIZE THE INEVITABILITY OF STORMS.
Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while He sent the people home. After sending them home, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. Night fell while He was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.
Matthew 14:22-24 NLT
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials…
James 1:2 NASV
3. REMEMBER WHAT I HAVE SEEN.
“All we have here are five loaves and two fish,” they replied. “Then bring them here to me,” Jesus said. He ordered the people to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. Everyone ate and had enough. Then the disciples took up twelve baskets full of what was left over. The number of men who ate was about five thousand, not counting the women and children.
Matthew 14:17-21 GNT
Jesus got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.
Mark 6:51, 52 NIV
4. REALIZE THAT JESUS KNOWS MY STRUGGLE.
About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.
Matthew 14:25 (NLT)
When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you.
Isaiah 43:2 TLB
And it was necessary for Jesus to be like us, his brothers, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God … For since He himself has now been through suffering … He knows what it is like when we suffer … and He is wonderfully able to help us.
Hebrews 2:17-18 TLB
5. RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF STORMS.
Note: Storms will bring growth that nothing else will.
The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!
Matthew 8:27 NIV
When they had climbed into the boat, the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves: their hearts were hardened. Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the son of God.”
Mark 6:51, 52
Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.
James 1:2, 3 VOICE
We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally--not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead!
2 Corinthians 1:9 MP