"The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Master, Master we're going to drown!' He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided and all was calm. 'Where is your faith?' he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, 'Who is this?' He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.' -Luke 8: 24-25

The Storm Within

On the outside I am calm, confident, and assured. This is what many people see in me. But on the 'inside' the storm rages. Questions, doubts, and fears batter me from within. My confidence shaken, feeling unworthy as I face life's trials and struggles. The Accuser (Satan, see Revelations 12: 10) tries to bring me down. He reminds me of all my mistakes. He tells me that I have used up my share of God's grace. How many of you reading this know these same feelings? How many of us can fool the people around us into thinking that everything is OK, while the storm is raging inside you? But what does Jesus do to the storm? "...He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided and all was calm. " (Luke 8: 24-25) Jesus calms the storm! But He also challenges us, "Where is your faith?" (Luke 25) If we put our faith in Jesus, He will calm even the worst of storms. My faith has to go beyond all of my thoughts and actions. Satan reminds me often that I am not deserving or worthy of Jesus' grace. Yet, I find my calm in Jesus. He hears the cries of all as we battle the storm and just as He calmed the storm for the disciples, He will calm the storm within you. Just have faith!

Why is it so hard to be transparent? To take a risk, to step out and share our struggles with another? I believe that we fear we will not be accepted by others. We fear looking weak. It is hard to find people that we truly trust. In the book of James it says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5: 16) God's Word tells us to confess to each other, to pray for each other, so that we may be 'healed.' I believe there are two sides to making this happen. 1. Being willing to take the risk to share our struggles with someone else. 2. Being somebody that people can trust and have confidence in so that others may share with us. We live in a world that works hard to tear us down. We need to build each other up! We all need the support of others to help us through life's storms.

In seeking shelter from life's storms, I have had a lot of 'hiding places' that I have tried throughout my life. But ultimately, for me, there is only one hiding place. "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." (Psalm 32: 7) I am so thankful that we have an all knowing, all powerful, and loving God. Aren't you? He will protect us from trouble but we must also do our part. Let us help each other to battle the storm within us all in Jesus' Name. Amen!

Take a moment and encourage someone this week.

I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."
-Psalm 32: 7