God's Roadmap

Now may the Lord Jesus Christ and our Father God, who loved us and in his wonderful grace gave us eternal comfort and a beautiful hope that cannot fail, encourage your hearts and inspire you with strength to always do and speak what is good and beautiful in his eyes (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 TPT).


Friday, April 22, 2022

Finding Jesus in the Storm



Please welcome guest blogger Beth Hildebrand today. Beth and I met through the Flourish Writers Community. Beth shares some insights about letting Jesus handle our storms. Please check out the links to her website and social media below along with information about her new book. 

 

There was a time in history when 13 guys were in a boat in a large lake and a huge storm caught them off guard. Rain came down so hard and fast, water filled their boat, and the guys couldn’t get it out fast enough.

 And one of the guys slept through the boat rocking high and low, thunder, guys yelling at each other so they could be heard because the wind was roaring and the rain beating on the boat like a loud drum. Until a few of the guys hollered at the One sleeping, “Hey! Do you not care that we’re about to drown?!”

 Drown in despair, fear, stress, the worries of this world.

 The guy that was sleeping, Jesus, woke up and told the wind and rain to stop. And they did. This makes me think: Jesus didn’t tell his disciples to stop worrying. He didn’t tell them to stop questioning him. He didn’t tell them to stop getting rid of what it was that made them sink.

Instead, he instructed the circumstance to stop. Maybe God allowed that storm to happen so the guys could see with their own eyes the reality of who Jesus says he is. God in the form of a man.

 Today circumstantial storms unexpectantly dump those same worries on us and cause us to call out, “Hey! Do you not care that I’m experiencing right now?!” 

He still wants us to holler out to him when we’re upset. He still wants us to question him when we wonder if he’s really who he says he is. He still wants us to call out his name asking him to stop what’s happening.

 And he just might respond in a way you least expect it – in a way you never imagined. It might not be instantly, like he immediately told the wind and rain to stop, but that was their circumstance. We all have our own; each situation is different. But God is always the same.

 Trustworthy. Teacher. Truth.

 If you feel like he’s asleep, call out his Name. Jesus! That should help calm your storm and then when you least expect it, you'll "be overwhelmed with awe." (Mark 4:41)

 What storms has Jesus helped you through? Join the conversation and share your thoughts. 

 Is your life experiencing a storm? Call out to Jesus (click to tweet)

Beth Hildebrand is a writer, blogger, mentor, and leader in her church and community. 
She lives in North Carolina with her husband and has son and daughter in college. She enjoys traveling, several forms of art, reading, and dancing with friends whenever there’s a chance.

She is the author of a new book titled: The Art of Struggling: Finding Hope When It Feels Like Your World’s Falling Apart.  It’s been rhythmically structured to include stories of people in the Bible who struggled in their lives physically, emotionally, or even spiritually, along with examples of how these days we face the same struggles.  Through a collection of written prayers, a story, reflection questions, Scripture, and an artistic expression option in each chapter, this book befriends the reader through times of struggling and how to persevere with hope.  

 For details you can find her at www.BethHildebrand.com, on Instagram @bethnhildebrand_author, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theartofstruggling

24 comments:

  1. Barbara and Beth, thank you for sharing this message. We've all been through storms and sometimes I tend to be like the guys in your story who wave their arms and yell at one another. Your message, Beth, reminds us to call on God first, even as the storm approaches and again and again in the midst of the storm. He won't leave us to face the trial alone. We may be bumped, scraped, and knocked down, but our Lord won't leave us to face the storms alone.

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    1. We can be assured that any storm we go through we have the Savior with us. Like those guys in the boat we are sometimes afraid, but when we look to Him, and realize He never leaves us, our fear can be calmed like the sea was for them. I am also thankful to Beth for sharing her thoughts and to you, Kathrine, for stopping by. Blessings!

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    2. I'm glad this post has been a good reminder for you, Katherine! Thank you for sharing!

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    3. We don't need much faith on sunny days, storms test our faith.

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  2. How wonderful to know He stills the winds and steers the ships!

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    1. Yes, it is so wonderful to know that Jesus stills the winds of our storms. Thank you for stopping by to share. Blessings!

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  3. What a great and magnificent God!

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    1. He is mightier than we can imagine, isn't He? Thanks for sharing, Nancy. Blessings!

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  4. Wonderful perspectives and post Ms. Beth and Ms. Barb. I stand in awe when I think of how He is still in control of all of it yet today. God's blessings ladies.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, J.D. Our Lord is One to stand in awe of as He rescues us from all our storms. Blessings!

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    2. Yes, HE is STILL in control...even though when we see all that's going on around us, and we're in the thick of it, we need to remember that truth! Thanks for sharing, J.D.

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  5. God has helped me through many storms and will be with me through more. Thanks for this uplifting post!

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    1. Candyce, if it weren't for God, I would have sunk long ago. He had helped me through many storms too and I am thankful He will be there for all the rest. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!

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  6. " If you feel like he’s asleep, call out his Name. Jesus!" Perfect!

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    1. There is no greater name to call is there? Thanks for sharing. Blessings!

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    2. JESUS! I'm glad that stood out to you!

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  7. I love that He is still willing to calm my storms. I needed to read this tonight. Thank you both.

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by to share. So glad Beth's post blessed you!

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    2. I'm thanking God HE chose the perfect time for you to read that. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Our God is always listening, always trustworthy, when we call to Him!

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    1. Yes, He is, Annie. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!

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    2. Well said, Annie! That's always true! Thank you for sharing!

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  9. See http://7seals.blogspot.com - only the returned Christ n& Albert Einstein reincarnated could produce that. It's triggered The Apocalypse/Revelation which is NOT the 'end of the world'. COVID-19 was added to Seal #4: S=19 (18.6) Theory.

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