Through The Storm: Lessons From God, Ourselves, And Life’s Trials Series

Through the Storm: Lessons from God, Ourselves, and Life’s Trials

Introduction:

Life’s storms are inevitable. They come in various forms – personal crises, health challenges, financial struggles, or spiritual battles. But in every storm, God is at work, teaching us profound lessons.

Today, we will explore how through the storms, God reveals something about Himself, something about us, and something about the nature of storms.

Mark 4:35-41 (NLT): “As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’ So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?’ When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ The disciples were absolutely terrified. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked each other. ‘Even the wind and waves obey him!’”

Point 1: God Reveals Something About Himself

In this passage, Jesus demonstrates His authority over nature, showing His divine power. The disciples witness firsthand that Jesus is not just a teacher or prophet, but the sovereign Lord over creation.

Psalm 46:10 (NLT): “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honoured by every nation. I will be honoured throughout the world.”

Psalm 46:10 calls us to pause and recognise God's sovereignty. It’s a command to quiet our anxious hearts and acknowledge that God is in control. In the context of life’s storms and trials, this verse reassures us that we can find peace in knowing that God is mighty and ever-present.

As Charles Spurgeon said, "When we are still, we can hear the whisper of the Spirit" .

In moments of chaos and uncertainty, we should intentionally take time to be still before God. It is in these moments of quiet that we can gain clarity and strength from His presence.

Isaiah 43:2 (NLT): “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

Isaiah 43:2 reassures us of God’s unwavering presence in our trials. The imagery of deep waters and fire represents overwhelming situations, yet God promises that we will not be overcome. This verse speaks to God’s protection and faithfulness.

When facing difficult circumstances, we must remember that God is with us. His presence is a guarantee that we will not be defeated by our challenges, no matter how formidable they may seem.

Application:

In the midst of our storms, God’s power and presence become evident. He is not distant or uncaring; He is with us, commanding the winds and waves of our lives. Reflect on times when God has revealed His power and presence in your storms. Trust in His sovereignty and His ability to bring peace.

Point 2: God Reveals Something About You

Jesus’ question to the disciples, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” challenges them to examine their trust in Him. The storm reveals their fear and lack of faith, prompting them to grow in their understanding and reliance on Jesus.

Supporting Verses:

James 1:2-4 (NLT): “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

James 1:2-4 encourages us to view trials as opportunities for growth. It’s a counterintuitive perspective that sees challenges as a means to strengthen our faith and develop endurance. This growth leads to spiritual maturity.

Rather than despairing in the face of trials, we should embrace them as opportunities to deepen our faith and reliance on God. This shift in perspective allows us to find joy even in difficult times.

Romans 5:3-4 (NLT): “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”

Romans 5:3-4 highlights the progression from suffering to hope. Trials produce endurance, which builds character, ultimately leading to a stronger hope in salvation. It’s a process of transformation that deepens our spiritual resilience.

When facing hardships, focus on the character and hope that are being developed within you. Recognise that each trial is a step towards a deeper, more confident faith.