How To Handle The Storms Of Life

In this passage we have several truths about the storms of life.

1. Between here and the other side are storms.

2. Those who get to the other side have come through

storms(see 2 Cor.11:23-28)

3. Those who come through storms successfully are

better able to help others.(v53-57)

a. They tend to be more anchored(v53)

"when they had crossed over, they landed at

Gennesaret and anchored there"

b. They more resemble Jesus(v54)

"As soon as they got out of the boat, people

recognized Jesus"

c. They stir others to greater faith(v55-56)

"They ran throughout that whole region and carried

the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.

And wherever he went- into villages, towns or

countryside-they placed the sick in the

marketplaces."

d. They help whomever they touch(v57)

"They begged him to touch even the edge of his

cloak, and all who touched him were healed."

4. The storms of life become a strain on our resources

(v48)

"He saw the disciples straining at the oars.."

5. The storms of life impede forward progress(v48)

"because the wind was against them"

6. The storms of life happen at the most unfavorable

times(v47-48)

7. The storms of life expose our theology(v49-50)

"but when they saw him walking on the lake, they

thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because

they all saw him and where terrified."

8. The storms of life expose our hearts(v51-52)

"Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the

wind died down. They were completely amazed, for

they had not understood about the loaves; their

hearts were hardened."

9. The storms of life finds Jesus praying for us(v46)

"After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside

to pray"

a. There is a truth found throughout scripture. That

truth is this. Prayer preceeds miracles.

10. The storms of life finds Jesus proving us(v47-48)

"When evening came, the boat was in the middle of

the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the

disciples straining at the oars, because the wind

was against them. About the fourth watch of the

night he went out to them, walking on the lake.He

was about to pass by them"

a. Notice Jesus did not immeadiately come to the help

of his disciples. Why? Such a question may trouble

us.But we cannot grow without storms. How could we

say God is faithful if there was nothing for him

to prove his faithfulness.

11. The storms of life finds Jesus present to help.

(v51-52)

a. He helped through a word of encouragement

b. He helped through causing Peter to do the

impossible(Matthew 14:28-29)

c. He helped through causing them to worship

(Matthew 14:32)

d. He helped through getting them to the other

side(John 6:21)

c