Jen’s Gem: Speak to the storm.

As I write this, Hurricane Henri is on its way towards Connecticut. It is eerily calm as I glance outside. You can hear a pin drop. The eye of the storm is set for the town in which my daughter resides. Despite my pleas for her to come home, she remains in place.

I provided her with the typical storm preparation advice including making sure her phone and laptop were charged, securing a flashlight, and telling her what to do if she loses power. “You’re stressing me out,” was her response. “Not my intention I told her. I just want you to be prepared.”

This morning I can’t help but think about the story of Jesus and the apostles travelling across the sea during a big storm. The excerpt is below:

“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
 
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:35 -41 NKJV)

During what appears to be a hurricane, we see Jesus sleeping and the apostles panicking. Jesus utters three words – “Peace be still” and the storm ceases immediately. This is a wonderful reminder for each of us when the storms of life threaten to steal our joy. Jesus gives us the perfect retort – “Peace, be still.” We don’t let our storms beat us up and steal our peace!

• When bills are mounting, “Peace, be still.”
• When a loved one is ill, “Peace, be still.”
• When we are stressed, “Peace, be still.”

We take the authority that we have as believers and speak to our storms. We open our mouths and use the same words Jesus used to quell a hurricane. We tell our storms who’s the boss. Then we can “fluff our pillows” knowing that the storm will pass. Peace and joy will come.

Our world is in the midst of many storms. Wave upon wave of chaos hits our shores every day. Many are fearful.  Many are panicking like the apostles in the boat. I wonder if Jesus is sitting on His throne in heaven saying the same thing to us: “How is it that you have no faith?” or “Don’t you know who I am?”

The apostles had Jesus, the Son of God, inches from them. Inches! They had seen Him do a b-zillion miracles, yet they were still afraid. However, when they saw that His words stopped a hurricane in its tracks, their eyes were opened. They realized exactly who Jesus was and that everything, everything must obey Him.

This is why when we pray, we pray in Jesus name – the Name above all names.

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)
 
“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24 NKJV)

Look at these verses closely. Whatever you ask. Anything you ask. I will do it. Ask and you will receive. These promises are crystal clear. When we pray in the name of Jesus, we will receive.

In addition to advice about storm preparation, I should’ve told my daughter and her roommate to pray these words: 
“Hurricane Henri – peace be still in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.”

I’ll correct that oversight when I speak with her later.

When the storms of life come, I want to encourage you to do as Jesus did. Say what Jesus said. “Peace, be still.” Ask for what you want in His name. Then watch as your storms head out to sea.

Au revoir Henri!