Finding Purpose in the Storms
by Pastor Byron Sarracino
Storms and trials are part of the human experience on this earth. It has been said that you are either just entering a storm, enduring a storm, or just coming out of a storm. Trials are never easy, but did you know that God can use these difficult times in life to grow your faith?
Christian friend, do you believe that God knows the areas in your life that need growth and that God is divinely directing your difficult circumstances? I would like to share several thoughts with you today that demonstrate God’s loving care and purpose for the storms and trials that we will experience in our lives. In John 6, we see an account of Jesus intentionally sending His disciples into a storm! Why would a loving God do this?
“When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a king, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone. And when even was now come, His disciples went down unto the sea, And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But He saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received Him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.” (John 6:16-21)
Jesus cares about our spiritual growth.
In Mark’s account of this event, he says that Jesus “constrained” the disciples to get into the boat (Mark 6:45). This means that He compelled the disciples to get into the boat and that they obeyed. Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen when the disciples got out into the middle of the lake. This shows that Jesus was intentionally placing His disciples into a teachable position with the intention of growing their faith! This storm proved that Jesus was not finished with these men. He cared deeply for them and directed this storm into their lives on purpose!
Jesus sees us in our storms.
As an epic storm began to toss their fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples worked hard to maintain control of the boat. In these panicked and frantic moments, they thought they saw a ghost, and they were terrified (Matthew 14:26)! Their fear turned to amazement when Jesus Himself approached the boat and said, “It is I; be not afraid” (John 6:20)! When Jesus stepped into the boat, He reassured them with His presence and His knowledge of their situation. Did Jesus ever lose sight of them? According to Mark 6:48, Jesus was watching them the whole time. Child of God, there will never be a time when God does not know what is going on in your life!
Jesus wants us to remember.
Jesus wants us to consider and remember what He has done for us (Mark 6:52). Just before getting into the boat, the disciples had observed one of the greatest miracles that Jesus ever performed – the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-14)! This must have been an amazing miracle to observe and should have been fresh in their minds. And yet, they (like us) forgot quickly. They allowed doubt and uncertainty to creep back into their lives. I would encourage you to make a journal. I have a little book where I write down and journal God’s blessings so that I won’t forget! Would you take time to consider what God has done in your life?
Jesus is greater than any storm that you will face.
Jesus wanted His disciples to understand His power over all creation. Likewise, Jesus wants you to come to a point where you will simply choose to trust Him no matter what you are facing in life. We will all face obstacles and storms that will test our faith. Jesus is greater than all of them!
Proof that Jesus is God!
This miracle proves that Jesus is God. There is not a man alive that could walk on the water. There is not a man alive that could calm this violent storm instantly. There is not a man alive that could bring this little fishing boat immediately to the other side of the lake (John 6:20). Only God could do these things. The disciples recognized this and acknowledged that Jesus truly is the Son of God. This led them to worship Jesus (Mt. 14:33). Has your storm driven you to your knees to worship Jesus?
I would like to remind you today that storms never last forever. Some storms last a very short period of time. Other storms, like chronic health issues, may endure for the rest of your life. Rest assured that when we pass off the scene from this earth and are in God’s presence, all the trials and storms of this life will be over! My friend, look for God’s loving hand in your storms!
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:4-5b
Byron and Tricia have been married for 32 years. They have five children, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. Byron is from the Pueblo of Laguna in New Mexico where he currently resides and serves as pastor in his local church. His story of growing up on the reservation and finding hope while serving in the Armed Forces is one of several stories touching lives through the Native Voices Project.