Encouragement in the Midst
of the Storm of Life
September, 2016
At the age of twenty-one I came to Oslo, Norway as an exchange student. In addition to the substantial training I also got a chance to go on a two-day trip on a huge cruise ship from Oslo to Copenhagen. I had never travelled by ship or even seen such a large vessel. It had nine floors above the waterline. Today it seems ridiculous but on my way to the port, I was worried whether I would be able to find it.
The ship glided through the water so smoothly that if the landscape had not changed, you could think that it was not moving at all. During the journey, I watched the beautiful fjords and the small islands. I had the cheapest cabin - even below the car deck. But the movie "Titanic" had not been shot yet, and the majestic hull created a sense of security. The morning sun shone brightly as we slid gracefully into the port of the Danish capital. I remember my excitement to see the beautiful Copenhagen!
Don’t you agree that more often than not we imagine our lives to be a pleasant journey on a luxurious cruise ship? The ship of our life glides on tranquil waters, sunny beaches lay ahead and we think that the summer of our lives will last forever and the autumn storms will never come.
When the Storms of Life Begin
However, my life has never been like that - the storms of life have followed one after the other. The most severe of them – when our son, aged ten, was lost while skiing in the mountains. The whole family had gone to the annual skiing trip to the Alps. I was at the hotel when the phone rang. It was my husband. I will remember his words all my life, "I lost Davis!" At that point I lost the sense of reality. It seemed like a bad dream. I wanted to wake up from it. It cannot happen with me, was another thought that came to my mind. My child cannot get lost! Such things happen only in movies, not in real life!
Another story: my friend Elaine and her husband dreamed of a baby of their own. She was already in her late 30-ies and did not want to wait any longer. One day she came to see me and shared her health concerns. I encouraged her to see the doctor immediately. The diagnosis was shocking - cervical cancer in the first stage. Her dreams of having a baby were shattered. A long and painful treatment began.
Once again I lost the sense of reality on a sunny and quite ordinary Sunday in August 2012. Our family attended a church service. Later we went to see our friends. Life was so enjoyable. In the afternoon I received an SMS. It was very disturbing - my little god-daughter was in intensive care and her life was in danger. Shock, despair, prayers, waiting, SMS traveling in all directions. I cried out to God: "Jesus, have mercy!" After two hours, the news: "Little Bella is with Jesus." At that moment, rain was pouring down, and another storm was tearing at my life.
Here you could definitely add a story of a storm in your life. Perhaps it also began with a single call, or a doctor's diagnosis, or the loss of a loved one. Life seemed so calm and stable, but suddenly everything had changed.
The Storm Began Suddenly
My acquaintance’s Annette’s dad is a fisherman in Scotland. One day as his ship was about to go out to the sea, the captain received the news that a big storm was approaching. Still he decided to take the risk and go out fishing. This captain loved to risk and already once had lost a ship because he neglected all warnings. The storm began just after they had thrown out the nets. It was so severe that they could not get the nets back in the ship and start moving to a safer location. It was so dark that even the powerful flood lights did not help. The crew thought that the end had come. Annette’s dad went into his cabin, looked at the pictures of his family and thought that it was the last time he saw their faces.
In the Bible we can read a similar story. Mathew 8: 23-27 tells us about a sudden storm in the lives of Jesus’ disciples:
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
This serious mishap in the lives of the disciples is described in five short verses. The beginning of the story is very promising: Jesus steps into the boat and the disciples follow him. But in the next sentence we read: “a furious storm came up on the lake”. Max Lucado in the book „Fearless” writes: “Wouldn’t you hope for a more chipper second sentence, a happier consequence of obedience? “Jesus got into the boat. His followers went with him, and suddenly a great rainbow arched in the sky, a flock of doves hovered in happy formation, a sea of glass mirrored their mast.”
But in the Bible we read something very different. The disciples had experienced many exciting things together with Jesus, and perhaps they stepped into the boat with a joyous anticipation discussing the possible events that lay ahead. The disciples did not go where they wanted, they did not choose another boat but faithfully followed Jesus. This chapter in the Bible reminds us that “if you step into the boat with Christ, you should be prepared to get wet with him.”
What did you expect from Jesus when you accepted him as your Lord and Savior? Did you imagine like me that it will be a peaceful journey through life or were you ready to experience storm, while obediently following him?
When the winds will start roaring, the waves rising and a suffocating darkness fall over you – will you remember that Jesus IS with you in the boat? Will you run to him as the disciples did and cry out: “Help me, Lord!” or you will try to solve your problems on your own or hope for the help of other people?
In the Same Boat with Jesus
As despair overcame Annette’s dad in the face of death, he fell on his knees and cried out to God.
In a while he was called on deck because a tiny light the size of a penny had appeared in the sky. It was just over their ship. It grew bigger and bigger and followed their ship. The power of the storm had also subsided just around their ship. They could start moving towards the coast and pull out the nets. As the fishermen saw the coastline and the approaching salvor the light in the sky disappeared. They were saved.
Recently I heard an old man’s testimony about how God had saved him from certain death during the WWII. Bombs were exploding all around and rubble was flying in all directions. There was no way to find refuge and he cried out to God in despair: “God, forgive me, a miserable sinner, please, have mercy on me and save me!” Out of 14 people who were there he was the only survivor.
Before the accident with my son happened I had come closer to God than ever before. As I heard that my son was lost, physically I was overcome by a sense of unreality and shock but my faith grew and transformed itself amazingly. I felt a supernatural trust in God – he could save my son and he could take him away - I was prepared to accept whatever his will was. He had severe head injuries. During this hard time – while I was waiting for the news of him being found and during his recovery process I experienced an unspeakable love, grace and care of God. In every tiniest detail. I can say that God carried me on his arms through this storm. Only after a year Davis got the prize of the most valuable player in his age group in the Latvian Youth Basketball League. It proved to me again that God is mighty and good!
My friend Elaine recovered. The cancer was discovered 19 years ago and it has never returned. The recovery process was very hard and long. In order to diminish the pain she had to take strong pain killers. Elaine had to be alone in a room which nobody else could enter because of the radiation. When the pain became intolerable she had to press a button to receive the current dose of medicine. But she was not alone! Elaine told me that never before had she been so close to Jesus – she felt like a lamb that Jesus was holding at his heart. Since that time she has always had a picture at her home of Jesus and a lamb because it reminds her of God’s presence.
My god-daughter’s parents have had their load of suffering. There is no answer to the question why it happened. I am happy that they have adopted a little girl and a son has been born into their family. No one can substitute little Bella but God has blessed them so richly already with 4 kids!
Are you in the midst of a storm right now? Who do you turn to when you have difficulties, pain and suffering? In the storm we meet Jesus Christ - not the image we have constructed ourselves but the genuine Jesus. In the midst of the storm more than anywhere else he can help us understand that perhaps we don’t know him so well after all. During a storm we learn to trust God even if he has not fulfilled our expectations. Though the disciples had experienced many miracles together with Jesus, when the storm began they panicked. As fishermen they knew the danger of the storm but they had not yet understood that Christ has power even over the forces of nature. Isn’t it like that in our lives too? After looking at our circumstances all that we can say is: “We’re going to drown!” With this message we go to Jesus only to find out that he has power and strength to solve all our situations and also calm our troubled hearts. Jesus is always ready to help. Go to him!
Before closing I want to stress two significant things: first – Jesus is with you in the boat, and second – only he can calm the storm. Thus while being in the midst of a storm don’t look around: at your circumstances, your hopelessness, your difficulties, your pain, and your suffering but look only to the one who can calm the storm or carry you through it. You can never fall deeper than in than the arms of God! May the lyrics of the song “Calm the storm, Lord!” by Linda Prindule encourage you:
Calm the storm, o Lord, let your peace come,
Let your angels begin to descend,
Calm the storm, o Lord, let your peace come,
Let me meet with you!
Praise to you, my Savior!
Put your hands, o Lord, on my heart,
Nothing else can make it happy!
Put your hands, o Lord, on my heart,
On my heart...
Blessed are you, my Creator!
Blessed are you, my Savior!
Blessed are you, my Creator!
Prayer
Our Father in Heaven, I pray for all those who are in the midst of life’s storm right now: Father, be merciful, lead them out of this storm or calm it, show them the way and be close to everyone who calls upon your name and seeks you. You are our only hope. You are the rock of ages. Amen.
Blessings,
Kristine Zonne
The ship glided through the water so smoothly that if the landscape had not changed, you could think that it was not moving at all. During the journey, I watched the beautiful fjords and the small islands. I had the cheapest cabin - even below the car deck. But the movie "Titanic" had not been shot yet, and the majestic hull created a sense of security. The morning sun shone brightly as we slid gracefully into the port of the Danish capital. I remember my excitement to see the beautiful Copenhagen!
Don’t you agree that more often than not we imagine our lives to be a pleasant journey on a luxurious cruise ship? The ship of our life glides on tranquil waters, sunny beaches lay ahead and we think that the summer of our lives will last forever and the autumn storms will never come.
When the Storms of Life Begin
However, my life has never been like that - the storms of life have followed one after the other. The most severe of them – when our son, aged ten, was lost while skiing in the mountains. The whole family had gone to the annual skiing trip to the Alps. I was at the hotel when the phone rang. It was my husband. I will remember his words all my life, "I lost Davis!" At that point I lost the sense of reality. It seemed like a bad dream. I wanted to wake up from it. It cannot happen with me, was another thought that came to my mind. My child cannot get lost! Such things happen only in movies, not in real life!
Another story: my friend Elaine and her husband dreamed of a baby of their own. She was already in her late 30-ies and did not want to wait any longer. One day she came to see me and shared her health concerns. I encouraged her to see the doctor immediately. The diagnosis was shocking - cervical cancer in the first stage. Her dreams of having a baby were shattered. A long and painful treatment began.
Once again I lost the sense of reality on a sunny and quite ordinary Sunday in August 2012. Our family attended a church service. Later we went to see our friends. Life was so enjoyable. In the afternoon I received an SMS. It was very disturbing - my little god-daughter was in intensive care and her life was in danger. Shock, despair, prayers, waiting, SMS traveling in all directions. I cried out to God: "Jesus, have mercy!" After two hours, the news: "Little Bella is with Jesus." At that moment, rain was pouring down, and another storm was tearing at my life.
Here you could definitely add a story of a storm in your life. Perhaps it also began with a single call, or a doctor's diagnosis, or the loss of a loved one. Life seemed so calm and stable, but suddenly everything had changed.
The Storm Began Suddenly
My acquaintance’s Annette’s dad is a fisherman in Scotland. One day as his ship was about to go out to the sea, the captain received the news that a big storm was approaching. Still he decided to take the risk and go out fishing. This captain loved to risk and already once had lost a ship because he neglected all warnings. The storm began just after they had thrown out the nets. It was so severe that they could not get the nets back in the ship and start moving to a safer location. It was so dark that even the powerful flood lights did not help. The crew thought that the end had come. Annette’s dad went into his cabin, looked at the pictures of his family and thought that it was the last time he saw their faces.
In the Bible we can read a similar story. Mathew 8: 23-27 tells us about a sudden storm in the lives of Jesus’ disciples:
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
This serious mishap in the lives of the disciples is described in five short verses. The beginning of the story is very promising: Jesus steps into the boat and the disciples follow him. But in the next sentence we read: “a furious storm came up on the lake”. Max Lucado in the book „Fearless” writes: “Wouldn’t you hope for a more chipper second sentence, a happier consequence of obedience? “Jesus got into the boat. His followers went with him, and suddenly a great rainbow arched in the sky, a flock of doves hovered in happy formation, a sea of glass mirrored their mast.”
But in the Bible we read something very different. The disciples had experienced many exciting things together with Jesus, and perhaps they stepped into the boat with a joyous anticipation discussing the possible events that lay ahead. The disciples did not go where they wanted, they did not choose another boat but faithfully followed Jesus. This chapter in the Bible reminds us that “if you step into the boat with Christ, you should be prepared to get wet with him.”
What did you expect from Jesus when you accepted him as your Lord and Savior? Did you imagine like me that it will be a peaceful journey through life or were you ready to experience storm, while obediently following him?
When the winds will start roaring, the waves rising and a suffocating darkness fall over you – will you remember that Jesus IS with you in the boat? Will you run to him as the disciples did and cry out: “Help me, Lord!” or you will try to solve your problems on your own or hope for the help of other people?
In the Same Boat with Jesus
As despair overcame Annette’s dad in the face of death, he fell on his knees and cried out to God.
In a while he was called on deck because a tiny light the size of a penny had appeared in the sky. It was just over their ship. It grew bigger and bigger and followed their ship. The power of the storm had also subsided just around their ship. They could start moving towards the coast and pull out the nets. As the fishermen saw the coastline and the approaching salvor the light in the sky disappeared. They were saved.
Recently I heard an old man’s testimony about how God had saved him from certain death during the WWII. Bombs were exploding all around and rubble was flying in all directions. There was no way to find refuge and he cried out to God in despair: “God, forgive me, a miserable sinner, please, have mercy on me and save me!” Out of 14 people who were there he was the only survivor.
Before the accident with my son happened I had come closer to God than ever before. As I heard that my son was lost, physically I was overcome by a sense of unreality and shock but my faith grew and transformed itself amazingly. I felt a supernatural trust in God – he could save my son and he could take him away - I was prepared to accept whatever his will was. He had severe head injuries. During this hard time – while I was waiting for the news of him being found and during his recovery process I experienced an unspeakable love, grace and care of God. In every tiniest detail. I can say that God carried me on his arms through this storm. Only after a year Davis got the prize of the most valuable player in his age group in the Latvian Youth Basketball League. It proved to me again that God is mighty and good!
My friend Elaine recovered. The cancer was discovered 19 years ago and it has never returned. The recovery process was very hard and long. In order to diminish the pain she had to take strong pain killers. Elaine had to be alone in a room which nobody else could enter because of the radiation. When the pain became intolerable she had to press a button to receive the current dose of medicine. But she was not alone! Elaine told me that never before had she been so close to Jesus – she felt like a lamb that Jesus was holding at his heart. Since that time she has always had a picture at her home of Jesus and a lamb because it reminds her of God’s presence.
My god-daughter’s parents have had their load of suffering. There is no answer to the question why it happened. I am happy that they have adopted a little girl and a son has been born into their family. No one can substitute little Bella but God has blessed them so richly already with 4 kids!
Are you in the midst of a storm right now? Who do you turn to when you have difficulties, pain and suffering? In the storm we meet Jesus Christ - not the image we have constructed ourselves but the genuine Jesus. In the midst of the storm more than anywhere else he can help us understand that perhaps we don’t know him so well after all. During a storm we learn to trust God even if he has not fulfilled our expectations. Though the disciples had experienced many miracles together with Jesus, when the storm began they panicked. As fishermen they knew the danger of the storm but they had not yet understood that Christ has power even over the forces of nature. Isn’t it like that in our lives too? After looking at our circumstances all that we can say is: “We’re going to drown!” With this message we go to Jesus only to find out that he has power and strength to solve all our situations and also calm our troubled hearts. Jesus is always ready to help. Go to him!
Before closing I want to stress two significant things: first – Jesus is with you in the boat, and second – only he can calm the storm. Thus while being in the midst of a storm don’t look around: at your circumstances, your hopelessness, your difficulties, your pain, and your suffering but look only to the one who can calm the storm or carry you through it. You can never fall deeper than in than the arms of God! May the lyrics of the song “Calm the storm, Lord!” by Linda Prindule encourage you:
Calm the storm, o Lord, let your peace come,
Let your angels begin to descend,
Calm the storm, o Lord, let your peace come,
Let me meet with you!
Praise to you, my Savior!
Put your hands, o Lord, on my heart,
Nothing else can make it happy!
Put your hands, o Lord, on my heart,
On my heart...
Blessed are you, my Creator!
Blessed are you, my Savior!
Blessed are you, my Creator!
Prayer
Our Father in Heaven, I pray for all those who are in the midst of life’s storm right now: Father, be merciful, lead them out of this storm or calm it, show them the way and be close to everyone who calls upon your name and seeks you. You are our only hope. You are the rock of ages. Amen.
Blessings,
Kristine Zonne
Scripture for Study:
Psalms 40: 1-3: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
Joshua 1: 9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Mathew 10: 28 -31: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Romans 8: 17-18: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Romans 8: 35-39: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”