When the storm of life of raging
Each time I read about the disciples’ stormy experience on the lake, I identify with their fear and how they felt their lives were in jeopardy.
On a night flight from Atlanta to Baltimore several years ago, our plane flew through a storm that resulted in extreme turbulence for much of the trip. As a precaution, the pilot requested flight attendants to cease serving and for everyone to keep their seat belts secured.
In a sea of darkness, the plane dipped up and down and bounced from side to side. While this roller coaster ride seemed like it would never end, I became paralyzed with the fear of crashing.
Closing my eyes for the inevitable, I began yoga breathing, thinking it would surely lessen the pain of the crash. Then I remembered and with shame I asked myself the question, “Where is my faith?”
I prayed to God for protection in the midst of the storm and for each one of us to arrive safely to our destinations that night. Then within, I began singing my “musical
prayer.” Within 15 minutes, we passed through the storm with sighs of relief from fellow passengers.
For most of us, when faced with those types of situations, our initial response is usually not that of calmness, but fear of the unknown. As their boat rocked back and forth taking on water, the disciples went directly to the one source that could save them, Jesus.
Likewise, we are to turn to God for comfort, peace and assurance when facing threatening times in our lives and not let fear control us or rob us of our faith.
This economy has certainly generated fear for many these days. Downsizing and company closings have resulted in layoffs and terminations, loss of salary or health
benefits, foreclosures and inadequate health care to name a few.
Are we justified to fear the future? Yes. However, we must not let fear run our lives, but instead look to God for strength and endurance to pass through the storm.
Do not fear: God is omniscience. God knows all that is going on in his creation and with his creation. We are to have faith that God has it under control.
Do not fear: God is omnipotent. God is almighty. The problems we face are minuscule against God’s unlimited power. We are to have faith that God is able.
Do not fear: God is omnipresent. God is everywhere at all times. God is never removed from us. We are to have faith that God will never leave us nor forsake us in times of trouble.
My musical prayer, “When the Storms of Life are Raging,” was written by Charles A. Tindley in 1905. It gives me great solace when facing the unknown – those fearful moments: “When the storms of life are raging, stand by me; when the storms of life are raging, stand by me; when the world is tossing me like a ship upon the sea. Thou Who rulest wind and water, stand by me.”
God will stand by you and with you during your storm – just call upon him.
Daryln McCrae is a member of Ames UMC in Bel Air, and leads the conference lay speaking ministry.
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