Faith in the Storms of Life

To have faith in the storms of life does not happen naturally.  So, God helps us learn to trust Him in a lifetime of circumstances.  For this reason, the Bible says that believers must go through many hardships on their way to heaven.  We may know that God wants to strengthen our faith, but we often forget His Presence and become discouraged.  So, how are you doing with the storms of life blowing your way?

We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Acts 14:22

Like natural storms, trials and tribulations come up unexpectedly, and they usually challenge our faith.  And if the trial lasts very long, we start to doubt God.  Before the test, we offered Him a sacrifice of praise, but now we are desperately trying to crawl off the altar.  Because we see no purpose to our suffering, we only want relief.  However, God wants us to exercise our faith and mature spiritually.  Do you want this too?  You will never know what God can do in your life until you begin to trust Him in a trial.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4

Jesus Prepared His Disciples for the Storm

Jesus’ disciples were about to face a terrible storm.  But before Jesus allowed this to happen, He taught them about faith using a parable about the Word of God.  Parables illustrate a spiritual truth that compels the listener to think.  However, the parable conceals the truth from those who hear but are not interested in seeking God further.  So, when Jesus finished teaching the crowd and His disciples, He said:

“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”  Mark 4:9

Jesus told His disciples to pay close attention and seek to understand God’s Word.  The disciples and others did want to understand, so when Jesus was alone, they asked Him what the parable meant.

Believing God’s Word Prepares Your Heart for the Storm

Jesus knew that believing the Word of God would be the key to weathering the oncoming storm well.  Therefore, he prepared his disciples for what was to come by teaching them about faith.  First, Jesus explained that people either accept or reject the Word of God based on the condition of their hearts.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.” Romans 10: 17

Faith comes by believing the Word of God.  Therefore, carefully consider how you read, study, and listen to Bible teaching.  When you take God’s Word seriously, you will nourish your faith.  And when you trust what He says, you will obey Him.

The Three Hearts that Prevent Faith

The Hard Heart hears the Word of God, but it never penetrates because the person never responds.

The disinterested listener responds to God’s Word with closed ears.  And, because there is no further attempt to understand it, Satan takes the Word away.  Consequently, repeated rejection of God’s Word scars a person’s heart until it is hard and calloused.  Sadly, when God’s Word is only heard and not acted on, that person becomes easy prey for Satan.

The Shallow Heart hears the Word of God and immediately receives it with joy, but not for long.

Those who only hear the Word but do not obey it are forgetful.  They fall away as soon as they have troubles or receive persecution. Following Jesus cost them too much because God’s Word never took root in their heart.

The Worldly Heart hears God’s Word, but it is unfruitful because it is a divided heart. 

The Word is unproductive because the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things choke out the Word.  Although these people hear the Word, their focus is themselves and the world’s concerns rather than seeking God and His righteousness.

The Good Heart Hears and Obeys the Word of God

The Good Heart hears the Word, accepts it, and produces a spiritual crop.

Those who obey the Word of God by faith will be fruitful and produce a spiritual harvest.  So, It is important to understand that faith is complete only when you apply God’s Word to your life.

Jesus said, “Therefore, consider carefully how you listen.  Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”  Luke 8:18

Those who listen casually to God’s Word will see but never perceive and hear but never understand.  How receptive are you to the Word of God?  Ask the Lord to teach you and give you understanding when you read the Bible.  Then, rely on the Holy Spirit to obey Him.

Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you.  Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  James 1:21-22

Jesus Tests The Disciple’s Faith in the Storm

After Jesus explained to His disciples what the parable meant, He planned a lesson to test their faith in Him.  That evening, He said, “Let us go over to the other side.”  Leaving the crowd behind, Jesus got into a boat and started across the lake with His disciples.  Picture yourself in the boat with Jesus. 

Suddenly a furious storm came up.  High waves began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water and about to sink.  Jesus was asleep at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion.  Frantically they wakened Him, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to drown?”  Mark 4:37-38

How long do you think the disciples struggled to remain afloat before they finally went to Jesus?  They experienced unnecessary stress and strain even though Jesus was with them as He is with us.  Therefore, all the disciples saw was the storm, not Jesus.  Does this sound familiar?  By the time they finally cried out, they were desperate and frantically accused Jesus of callousness, of not caring.

Storms can Beat Down Faith, but Jesus is Faithful

Can you relate to the disciples who were overwhelmed and beaten down by their circumstances?  Do you feel that if God truly cared about you, He would not have allowed your present troubles?  Are you demanding that Jesus do something, but you doubt that He will?  You are God’s beloved child, but you have forgotten that Jesus loved you enough to die for you.  Indeed, He has no intention of letting you drown.

During the storm, Jesus wanted the disciples to cry out to Him in faith, but He graciously answered the disciples’ accusation of not caring by showing them His power to help them.  When you have Jesus, you have everything you need.  Do you believe this?

Jesus got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Quiet!  Be still!”  Then the wind died down, and it was completely calm.  Mark 4:39

Trust Jesus and the Word of God While the Storm Rages

The Lord Jesus is The Word, and believing His Word gives you power over the storm!  Jesus showed Himself to be a man who was exhausted and needed sleep.  But He is also God with supernatural control over nature.  The disciples had Jesus, their refuge and strength in the boat with them.  However, they did not call on Him until they were about to sink.  Don’t you wait that long!  Call on Jesus when you are anxious and afraid and find your courage in Him. 

When you don’t know the way you should go, ask Him to guide you.  When you become weary, seek Jesus for strength by reading His Word.  When the enemy begins to sow doubts that Jesus does not care, pick up the shield of faith and stand firm.  A storm does not last forever.  But, when you finally see God’s deliverance, you will realize that your trust in Jesus has grown stronger.  And, you will know Jesus better because you experienced His Presence during a trial.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”  Mark 4:40

Fear is Not Faith

Fear is not faith.  The disciples doubted Jesus’ love and His care for them.  Do you?  Jesus would say to you, “Have I not proved my love for you?  Then will you trust Me?”    Tell Jesus your fears and confess your doubts now.  Remember how He has worked in the past and apply that knowledge to your present situation.  To walk by faith is to continue to trust God when you cannot see and do not understand.  Therefore, it is essential to remain in God’s Word, so you stay connected to Him by faith.

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey Him!”  Mark 4:41

Who do you say Jesus is?  Do you know Him because you study His Word?  The disciples did not yet understand the divinity and power of Jesus, so they feared the storm even though Jesus was with them.  Ask God to strengthen your faith in Him and  trust His plans when they are not yours.

Yet Abraham did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God had power to do what he had promised.  Romans 4:20-21

Jesus Proves That We Can Trust Him to Meet Our Needs

Later, after the first storm, Jesus performed another miracle with another test of faith.  It was late in the day, and the large crowds listening to Jesus were hungry. The disciples wanted to go to the nearest village and buy themselves something to eat, so they told Jesus to send the people away.

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat.”  “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.  “Bring them here to me,” He said.  Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves.  The people all ate and were satisfied.  The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.  Matthew 14:16-21

The disciples looked within themselves for solutions and only saw what they did not have and could not do.  When you are in need, where is your focus?  Bring your requests to God in prayer and believe that He will answer.

“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind.  Is anything too hard for me?”  Jeremiah 32:27

Jesus said in Mark 6 that the disciples did not understand the miracle because of their hard hearts.  Do you doubt what Jesus can do in your situation?  Tell Him now what you think is beyond His capabilities, and then confess your unbelief.  Your impossible situation is an opportunity for the Lord to work, and to reveal Himself and His miraculous power.  To have faith is to be convinced and fully persuaded that God has the power to accomplish His will.

Believe that Jesus Controls the Storms in Your Life

Jesus demonstrated His supernatural power by feeding thousands of people with five loaves and two fish.  Now there would be another test of faith for the disciples.

Immediately (after the feeding miracle), Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd.  After leaving them, He went up on a mountainside to pray.  Mark 6:45-46

Unlike the previous storm, Jesus told his disciples to get into the boat without Him.  Jesus stayed connected to His heavenly Father through prayer, and He received the same grace and strengthening that is available to you.  Persist in prayer and stay connected to God by spending time with Him in His Word.

Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and He was alone on land.  Jesus 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 water.  Mark 6:47-48

Jesus saw His disciples spend most of the night tossed with waves and in great danger, yet He delayed coming to their rescue.  Are you waiting on God for help?  Is your heart hardening the longer your trial goes on because you don’t see Him working?  The storms of life that buffet you are never accidental.  Your heavenly Father intends each trial for your good, to teach you spiritual lessons that you learn no other way.

The Lord Jesus Christ Controls the Storm

The Lord is Sovereign over your circumstances, and He has supernatural power.  Therefore, when He does not remove the storm, will you trust that He has a better plan?  Jesus allowed his beloved disciples to experience three tests of their faith in Him.  As a result, His disciples witnessed miracles and experienced Him in ways that would increase their confidence in Him.

At the end of the story, Jesus came to the disciples by walking on water.  The disciples were terrified and thought Jesus was a ghost.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!  It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”  Matthew 14:27

Peter heard Jesus tell him not to fear.  Because faith comes by hearing the Word of God, Peter must have taken Jesus’ words to heart.  As a result, confidence suddenly filled his heart.

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  Come,” Jesus said.  Matthew 14:28-29

Peter calls Jesus, Lord, believing that what Jesus told him to do, He will enable him to do.   So, Peter obeyed Jesus’ command and came to Him walking on water, just as Jesus had.  However, his faith faltered as soon as he took His eyes off Jesus.  Then, he saw the strong wind blowing and became afraid.  And, as he began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.  “You of little faith,” he said, why did you doubt?”  Matthew 14:31

Trust that Jesus Knows the Way Through Any Storm You Face

Jesus sees the big picture, and He alone knows the way through storms, so cling to Him by faith.  When Jesus is not your focus, your troubles consume your thinking, so you doubt Christ’s presence and power to help you.  But, when you trust Jesus, your circumstances lose their power over you.  So, confess any doubts about His love for you and ask Jesus to help your unbelief.  Then, when God accomplishes His will, He will bring you out of the storm, and the sun will shine once again.

Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”  Matthew 14:33

This trial finally resulted in awed belief in Jesus as the promised Messiah, the unique Son of God.  God has a good purpose for every trouble that He allows into your life.  So, don’t look at the storm.  Look at Jesus.  He is in the storm with you.  

We do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.   For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Watch what faith looks like when a believer trusts God in the storms of life:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjc1QNt5rB4

The Cup of Suffering

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Bible study for “Faith in the Storms of Life”

Week 1: Genesis 41:52; Joshua 1:9; Job: 1:6-22; 2:9-10; 23:1-5; 38:1-41; 40:1-8; 41:11; 42:1-6, 10-17; Psalms 16:1-2, 7-8; 18:1-6, 16, 28-36; 27:1, 4-5, 7-8, 13-14; 32:6-11; 33:4, 10-22; 34:1-10, 15-19; 42:1-5, 8;  46:1-3, 10; 55:22; 61:1-5; 62:1-2, 5-8, 11; 63:1-8; 72:12; 73:23-26; 90:13-15; 91:1-2, 14-16; 105:4; 107:23-31; 119: 15-16, 25, 28, 49-50, 67-68

Week 2:  Psalms 119: 71-74, 89-92, 105, 107, 114, 143, 169-170; 142:1-5; 143:1-12; 145:8-21; Proverbs 3:5-6; 4:23; 16:9; Isaiah 26:3-4; 40:11-14, 27-31; 41:10, 13; 43:1-3, 10-13; 45:5-7; 55:6-11; Jeremiah 9:23-24; 17:7-8; 29:11-13; 32:17, 26-27; Lamentations 3:19-26, 32-33, 37-38, 55-57; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Matthew 4:4, 10-11; 6:25-34

Week 3:  Matthew 10:29-31; 11:28-30; 13:10-17; 14:14-33; 16:5-17, 24-27; 17:14-21; 26:36-44; Mark 4:1-25, 33-41; 6:5-6, 48-52; 9:21-24; 12:24; Luke 6:46-49; 8:18-21; 18:1-8, 27; John 1:1-2, 14; 6:28-29; 8:31-32; 11:40; 12:44-50; 15:1-5, 7-8, 16-17; 16:33; 17:1-19; Acts 14:21-22; Romans 4:18-25; 8:17-18, 28-39; 10:17; 12:12; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 16:13

Week 4:  2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 8-11; 4:7-11, 16-18; 6:3-10; 12:8-10; Philippians 1:6; 3:7-14; 4:6-7, 12-13, 19-20; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; 2 Timothy 1:7; 3:12; Hebrews 2:10-18; 3:12-19; 4:14-16; 5:7-10; 10:36-39; 11:1-40; 12:1-13; 13:5-6; James 1:2-8, 12, 21-25; 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 4:12-19; 5:6-11; 1 John 2:15-17

Suzanne

Suzanne Martin, Author. By God’s grace I am who I am. I am born again and have served in ministry for 44 years. I have been married to Rodger for 51 years and I would not be me without him as he has always supported what God has called me to do in ministry. It is my desire that God uses the Digging Deeper Bible Study to transform lives from the inside out and so far this is happening! The truth is that those who apply God’s Word to their own lives are the best equipped by the Spirit to reach others who also need to know and see that God lives and that He does speak to men and women today from His Word.

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