Maintaining a spiritual focus has allowed my strength to endure and overcome trails and tribulations. I invite you to meditate on the thought of the month provided by:

Rev. Wayne and Andrea Purcell
The Word Made Truth Ministry
76 Livingston Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801

(828) 279-8562

Rev. Wayne and Andrea Purcell also have a prison ministry. It is a blessing to have their son, Kingslee, who lives in Los Angeles, California present the thought of the month. Please feel free to ask questions.

The Calm In the Storm

I was on a ship cruising to Costa Rica and we went through a major storm on the Atlantic. This huge cruise ship, built like a city on the sea, was at the mercy of gale force winds and an angry ocean. This massive ship was rocking side to side like a pendulum. Plates were sliding off of tables. Passengers had to grip the handrails just to walk. I keenly remember a defeated and troubled spirit that pervaded the ship and passengers. We simply had no answer. Never in a thousand years did we expect a turbulent storm on a cruise ship to Limon, Costa Rica.

Most of us today can predict storms through some media outlet. And by that forecast comes adequate preparation, whether an umbrella, extra layers, or simply the right mindset. But then there are storms in life that we have no forecast for – job loss, financial setbacks, sickness, alienation… As long as life is going the way we want it to go, we feel as if we are in control and that gives us a great sense of security. But all it takes is one lengthy and turbulent storm to show us how little we are in control.

Our focus scripture for this message:

Mark 4:35-40

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, Let us cross over to the other side. Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Actions we take in a storm say who we are. Having the poise and quality of mind to seek God and pray in the midst of a storm is a positive action. It takes great courage to pray when our safe walls are broken down, leaving us weak and vulnerable. It takes equal great courage to trust in the Lord, leaning not on our own understanding of why this is happening to me. Why me? What did I do to deserve this? It can be said that the disciples did not think of Jesus in the storm. They could only see the crashing waves and the rising water. And it never dawned on them that how could a boat sink with Jesus in it.

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

The continuation of pray in the mist of storms of life takes perseverance before the breakthrough comes. And this can be the toughest part because like the disciples we fear that God has abandoned us in our little boat and we are left to fend for ourselves. Perseverance is defined as continuing in a course of action when there is no prospect for success. Staying the course of action can be difficult today because we live in a world of speed. Our phones have speed dial, our computers have fast modems, and we have our dinner by way of a drive thru window. In other words, it is about instant gratification and a shortened wait time. So to persevere in any endeavor, any situation these days makes us feel hopeless because our gratification is delayed, which acts against the way we are conditioned. We ask ourselves, when is this going to end? How long must I wait? We may even take a desperate peak up to the clouds for some sign.

But hope is around the corner because the storm comes before the victory, before the calm and before the breakthrough. The disciples in the boat never imagined this looking up at the giant waves and down at the rising water in their boat. And after Jesus had calmed the sea he asked the disciples what happened to their faith. Why were they so fearful? When the storm on the sea was at its worst it was gut check time for the disciples and all they could see were the facts – waves and rising water. In the storms of life, when we are preserving and staying the course it must be with a mind that is looking past the facts, past a temporary job loss, past a financial setback, or emotional distress. We must rebuke the enemy who peppers us with nonstop distracting thoughts like “why is this happening to me.” We don’t deserve this -- Jesus does not love me.

At the moment when we start to second guess and question “why me” is when we must answer Jesus’ own questions in the focus scriptures. Why are you so fearful? Have you no faith? Hitting the wall in a lengthy storm I believe is akin to exercising and hitting the wall. You have two options at that point: quit or persevere. And oftentimes when we push through the wall we get that miraculous second and third wind to get us to our ultimate goals. And you think to yourself, I am so glad I did not quit.

In the midst of a lengthy storm and being tried by the enemy is also when we as believers must fight back with affirmations like I know I am a child of God and scriptures like Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, to them who are called according to His purpose.

And remember that perseverance in the storms of life builds godly character.

Romans 5:3

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

IN CONCLUSION

The actions we take in a storm say who we are. The disciples panicked in the boat. What about us? The passage in Mark 4 reminds us that the presence of a storm does not mean the absence of Jesus. He may be quiet, even appearing to be sleeping at times during our own storms of life. But when Jesus arose on the boat he rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. On that cruise ship on the Atlantic many of the passengers stowed away in their cabins, fearing for their lives and hoping just to sleep through the turbulent storm. And the next morning when we awoke and peered out of our windows what did we see but the ship safely docked on the golden and serene coast of Limon, Costa Rica. Let us pray with steadfastness, persevere like distance runner, and be calm in the storm.

PRAYER

Thank you for this moment to talk with you, oh, Magnificent One. We give thanks for what you have done, are doing, and will do in our lives. We trust you completely God. We release our worries and fear to you God; for you are the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. We ask for the knowledge of Your will in our lives, Father. We ask that You lead. Direct our paths. Show us the way. We need your strength, Father. We cannot go this alone. We sometimes feel weak. Put thy hand upon us. Give us strength to persevere. And bless us indeed. Use us Father. We are yours completely. Thank you for the victory. Thank you for the smile across our face -- your humble servants. Amen.

By Kingslee O. Purcell

Los Angeles, California