Take Courage in the Storm

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

Already it’s a squall of a day — emotions all tangled, deadlines looming before I even begin on my projects, and a constant worry in the back of my mind that God may not be in a hurry to help me out of my latest fear.

My spiritual boat is battered, far from the safety of shore. How I long to take control of it all, but the waves come fiercely, toss my heart about.

When life’s storms rage, we can feel absolutely helpless, as if one more wave will knock us out of the boat and into the water. We get frantic and afraid, wondering if we’ve been forgotten.

But somewhere among the mist and moonlight, a figure appears. Moving toward us on top of the waves. As if nothing ruffles Him. His eyes are fixed on us, His hand turned toward us. Who is this who faces the swelling water and slashing rain and does not falter?

“Take courage! It is I,” Jesus tells us in Matthew 14:27. He says, “Do not be afraid.”

Jesus has come for us. His steps are steady, purposeful. He knows exactly where we are in our storms and will stop at nothing to see us through. The winds of struggle may blow straight at us, fierce and menacing. But Jesus comes straight to us, standing on top of what we fear.

There is nothing we can’t face when the Lord who stilled the sea longs to still what rages within us.

He comes to be with us, stepping right into our storms without hesitation. This is who He is.

He even invites us to step out of the boat and onto the waves, in direct opposition to our hearts’ terror. He calls us with one simple word: “Come” (Matthew 14:29, NIV).

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Honored to be over at Proverbs 31 looking at how we can take courage in the storms of life.