“8 Keys to Correctly Handling Life’s Storms”
By
Bishop M.L. Maughmer, Jr.
OPENING:- Over the past few weeks a great deal of the nation has been under a winter storm alert. Cold temperatures have put a freeze on most of the country record lows that have been around some for more than 100 years have been shattered. I heard one weather man say about a low record of -3° that had stood for over 100 years was shattered Tuesday morning with a low of -15° below and that was not the wind-chill factor.
Storms are seasonal and storms can be dangerous; however, if you prepare yourself you can survive the storm. Life like the weather sometimes brings storms into our lives. I know we all would like for life to be 70° to 75° with sunshine, nice tropical breezes, and gentle ocean waves; however, sometimes we find that a storm has come up in our lives and if you do not correctly handle life’s storms you will find yourself like the victim of Katrina, displaced, shattered, lost, or even dead.
UNDERSTAND:- what you do in the storm is vital to your success through the storm.
TODAY I AM GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT
“8 Keys to Correctly Handling Life’s Storms”
8 is the number of new beginnings, circumcision of the heart for boys are circumcised on the 8th day of life. If you remember and practice these 8 keys of correctly handling life’s storms you will have a new beginning.
Now before I deal with the 8 keys to correctly handling life’s storms I want to mention some of the incorrect ways of handling life’s storms.
Alcohol, drugs, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, wrath, emulations, strife, seditions, murders, suicide and such are all works of the flesh to correctly handle life’s storms you must operate in the spirit. That’s the foundation of which we will build this message.
OUR TEXT:- This Story is found in Matthew 14, Mark 6, & John 6.
Mark 6:45-52 “45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened”.
Vs #45:- And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. Notice “he constrained his disciples…” The word constrained means to order, to force, to command. This was a journey that the disciples were sent on not one that just decided to take.
1. The 1st thing to understand about correctly handling life’s storm is that you are on a divine journey. John 15:16 says “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you…” It is a journey that is ordered by the Lord. It is a divine call, on a divine journey, for a divine purpose. I am striving for higher education. I’m trying to get something – understand it’s not me but a divine call on a divine journey for a divine purpose. I thought it was just me wanting something, but if it was just me I would have given up a long time ago. The Bible says in Psalms 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart”. So many times we think I desire a big house and God will give me that because he said he will give me the desires of my heart. However, when you understand you are on a divine journey for a divine purpose the desires of your heart is what He places in your heart and you strive to achieve that desire.
Vs #46-47:- 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. 47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.. WATCH THIS:- the ship was now in the midst of the sea” The disciples are exactly where God wanted them to be because He sent them.
2. The 2nd thing to understand about correctly handling life’s storms is to understand that you are exactly where God’s wants you to be. You might say I thought by now I would be there but I am here and things are the way they are, but I am exactly where God wants me to be. How can you say that Bishop because this is a divine journey God sent you and God sent me and I am now in the midst of where He sent me and you are in the midst of where He sent you. I have come too far to turn back and I have not yet apprehended where I am going.
Vs#48:- And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. He saw them. Jesus saw them even though they couldn’t see Jesus.
3. The 3rd thing to understand about correctly handling life’s storms is to trust that He is watching you even though you can’t trace him.
Continued Vs #48:- toiling in rowing toiling means to struggle, to torture, to vex with pain of body and mind. The disciples are rowing to get to the other side but they are toiling struggling. When God sends you on a divine journey do what he called you to do regardless of how hard it may seem because He has his eyes on you. WATCH THIS: I’m pastoring but I’m toiling in pastoring but I must keep doing what He told me to do, I can’t quit, I can’t give up no matter how rough it may get sometimes, because He sent me on this journey and He has his eyes on me.
4. The 4th thing to understand about correctly handling life’s storms is to keep doing what He called you to do. Paul said it like this “ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of Jesus Christ”.
Continued Vs #48:- for the wind was contrary unto them The disciples were struggling because the wind was contrary to them. When the wind is behind you it is easy sailing things move just fine, but when the wind is contrary you must keep pushing forward.
5. The 5th thing to understand about correctly handling life’s storms is don’t let the direction of the wind stop you or make you feel that you are doing something wrong. Sometimes people will speak for you but mostly they will speak against you keep pressing, keep rowing, keep striving to go where God has ordered you to go.
Continued Vs#48:- and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them Late in the midnight hour here between 3 & 6 in the morning Jesus came walking on the water and would have passed them by.
6. The 6th thing to understand about correctly handling life’s storm is expect God to show up. He may not come when you think he should but he is going to show up in your storm so expect him and look for him.
Vs’s #49-51:- 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. WATCH THIS:- he talked with them He talked with them in the midst of the storm.
7. The 7th thing to understand about correctly handling life’s storms is to listen for His voice in the midst of the storm.
Vs#52:- For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened”. Before Jesus constrained them to get into the ship and go to the other side He had just feed 5000 men not counting women and children with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread and the disciple collected 12 baskets of food afterwards. That was a miracle, but the disciples failed to remember the miracle of the past.
8. The 8th thing to understand about correctly handling life’s storm is to remember past miracles. If He did it before surely He will do it again.
Conclusion:- Remember past miracles.
• When you didn’t have a job and He created one just for you.
• Didn’t know how your bills were going to be paid but they were paid in full
• Doctor gave you a negative report and you are still here.
• People lied on you, walked out on you, ran your name down and you are still standing.
• Marriage was headed to divorce court and now your celebrating multiple years of wedded bliss.
• Judge was about to sentence you to life in prison but God opened the doors now you have life abundantly.
When you remember the loaves and how God made a way out of no way then do like the disciples did and begin to worship Him for he deserves the Glory.
Bishop M.L. Maughmer, Jr.
