Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (Psalm 39:7 ESV)
Do you ever have “ah-ha” moments with God—when He seems to take all the circumstances in your life and focus them on the one thing you read in your quiet time and give them meaningful significance? In those moments, God’s presence, love, and care overwhelm me.
In preparation for a recent trip to Antarctica, along with two pairs of long underwear and lots of wool socks, I packed my travel Bible, a couple of pens, and my Quiet Time Companion.
We took an eleven-hour flight overnight to Argentina and boarded our ship for Antarctica. In order to get to the northern peninsula of Antarctica from Argentina, ships must cross the Drake Passage (620 miles/36 hours). Due to extreme wind and waves, the passage is frequently called the "Drake Shake." During our crossing we encountered fifteen-foot swells and thirty-knot winds (55+mph)—definitely the "shake."
Through the long first night, I clung to the side of the bed as the ship rose and fell with the waves. Fear swelled up and threatened my peace. We were so far from land, so far from any assistance, surrounded by frigid water…
I’m currently reading through the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life. And as I prayed for Jesus to calm the wind and waves as He did on the Sea of Galilee, I had an “ah-ha” moment!
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still! “And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:37-40 ESV)
Fear has had a stronghold in my life since I was a child—fears of rejection, abandonment, failure, danger, etc. One by one, God continues to overcome the power of fear in my heart with His love. And here, in the middle of the night, in the middle of the ocean, He heard my heart cry, “I’m afraid! Don’t you care?”
Gently, patiently, Jesus rebuked me, “Peace, be still. Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” He was not asleep in the stern. He was with me—all the time. Just as the wind and waves obeyed Jesus and calmed, my heart responded to His words with assurance. Jesus knew I needed to hear His voice, to feel His presence, to be comforted by His love. “Peace, be still."
As Jesus sheds light on the strongholds of fear in my life, He reassures me of His love, opens my eyes to the truth of His words found in the Bible, and He sets me free. This can be your experience too.
Application Points:
- Go to Jesus in prayer.
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)
- Set your mind on His Word.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3 ESV)
- Praise God for the wonderful ways He has shown himself faithful.
No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. (Romans 4:20-21 ESV)
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About Nicole: Retired homeschool mother who loves to travel, bake bread, read, and spend time with her kids and grandkids.www.nicolelisamaria.com. |