I live in sunny Colorado. On the average, there are 237 sunny days a year. Living at five-thousand feet above sea level, you can feel the sun’s intensity increase in March as it moves to a more northern position. In this position, the sun heats the earth quickly. The warm air rises through the heavier cold air which creates strong winds. These winds can often gust up to sixty miles per hours for a day or two.
I enjoy a breeze of five to fifteen miles per hour. However, winds over twenty miles per hour are challenging for me. Strong winds make it hard to stay balanced or to walk forward without a struggle. My sight is also affected because I’m squinting or shielding my eyes with my hand. The tangible realities of strong winds awaken my fear of a lack of control. In these times, I must be sure I don’t let my emotions take over. If I allow my emotions to rule my thoughts, they will replay past painful experiences during my thirteen-year abusive marriage. My emotions will trigger past feelings of being off-balance, fearful, uncertain, trapped, and paralyzed.
You Can Walk Through Life’s Storms
When you let the storm within your mind and heart be ruled by emotions, you rely on your abilities, knowledge, and power to help you. In the middle of your hurricane of emotions, it is possible to find peace and a way through your storm with the help of Jesus.
The promise that Jesus will help us is illustrated in the Bible when Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples walked on water. The story begins right after Jesus finished teaching and feeding a group of five-thousand. Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and go ahead of him to the other side. He took time to be by himself and pray. Shortly before dawn, Jesus walked out toward the boat on the water. The disciples thought he was a ghost when they saw him in the distance. Jesus told them it was him, and not to be afraid. Peter asked to come out to him on the water, and Jesus agreed. Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on water toward Jesus. “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord save me!” Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.Matthew 14:22-33 NIV
We will all face storms on this broken earth and in our imperfectness. When you let your emotions and the winds or storms in your life overshadow the power and faithfulness of Jesus Christ in you, you will feel like you are sinking. Always remember, you are in charge of your emotions and your thoughts. Only you can choose to stand on the promise of Jesus because he lives in you. He is always with you no matter where you go and how you feel.
The next time you hear a storm building, proclaim Christ’s truth and power in your life. Refuse to let the winds and storms knock you off balance or bring up fear and doubt. Ask Jesus to help you calm any whirlwind of emotions. Take the hand of Jesus and walk victoriously together through your storm!
