"There arose a great storm . . . then HE AROSE . . . and there was great calm". (Mark 4:35ff)

There are many storms in our lives:

The storm of job conflicts. The storm of marriage problems. The storm of financial difficulty. The storm of cultural decay affecting our lives. The storm of fractured friendships. The storm of new adjustments. The storm of church divisions. The storm of rebelling children.

I know not what storm you may be facing; I do not need to know. Jesus knows, and HE is willing to rise to calm your great storm.

Over the years I've learned a lot about the storms of life. Perhaps it is because I've had so many of them.

I've learned that storms have their own fingerprints (similar but not exactly alike).

I've learned that all storms have an "other side" (Jesus said, "Let us go over unto the other side". (Mark 4:35ff) I take that as a promise.

I've learned that Jesus is always with me (He said, "Let us . . ." Ä not "you . . .").

Every storm I've weathered has brought me closer to the Saviour. "Close to Thee, Close to Thee . . . let me walk close to Thee," the songwriter said.

I've learned that storms cause me to re-evaluate what is not important. In Acts 27, Paul was in a Mediterranean storm called "Euroclydon."

The mariners threw tackling overboard. At one time it was important. Now, it was not.

Later, part of their supplies were thrown off into the sea. They had devalued in the storm.

The cargo was jettisoned. Their total financial investment was tossed overboard. WHY? The answer is that survival was now the issue.

Our spiritual storms may cause us to cast out bitterness, wrath, anger, jealousy, pride, personal desires, and such like. I've learned that storms can cause me to re-examine my faith.

Jesus asked HIS disciples, "How is it that ye have NO FAITH?" He was in the boat. He had the necessary power. He was the Son of God. He was at peace in the raging winds and sea.

Yet, they were fearful. FEAR AND FAITH ARE NEVER BEDFELLOWS. They are mutually exclusive. A storm may be God's special gift to me to cause me to re-examine my relationship to HIM. I do this by reading HIS question: "How is it that ye have NO FAITH?"

I've learned that storms can identify qualities in myself and others. I speak primarily of loyalty to TRUTH and to the CHURCH.

When personal opinions and sympathies cause those in the storm to quit, that is really good (even if it brings disappointment and pain). In a storm, each mariner needed to be able to rely upon the skills of the others.

I've learned that Jesus ought to be the FIRST-CLASS PASSENGER in my boat.

Here is a thought. JESUS OUTRANKS ALL OUR STORMS. Praise the Lord! Any storm I have is LIMITED. Jesus, my captain, has NO LIMITATIONS. I want to give HIM the place of supremacy in my life.

I do not know what storm of life you are facing. I cannot be with you, even if I wanted to be there to speak a word of encouragement.

However, the Saviour is with you where you are, and He is with me where I am. "Let us go over unto the other side," He says.