Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26 (NLT)
When storms rise up against you, what should you do? Jesus showed us by example—get up and speak to them!
Matthew chapter 8 shares Jesus doing this with phenomenal results. He had instructed His disciples to cross to the other side of a lake, and then He laid down in the boat to sleep. A big storm suddenly whipped up as they were halfway across, and the disciples freaked out. In a panic, they woke up Jesus and shouted, “We’re going to drown!” Then Jesus got up and spoke to the storm, and the wind and waves died down immediately.
How He handled adversity is very telling. When the storm tried to stop Jesus from fulfilling God’s plans for His life, it didn’t shake Jesus’ confidence one bit. He didn’t cower under a blanket, freak out or reach for a bailing bucket. He got up, spoke to it in faith, and everything changed.
What waves are breaking against your boat? Maybe it’s an illness or a fear of the future that’s trying to destroy the healing and peace God has given you through Jesus.
Whatever the situation, get up and proclaim God’s Word over whatever is coming against you. Command it to move off, and despite rough sailing, continue to declare that God’s Word stands.
Even when it may seem as though all hope is lost and nothing can be done, Jesus clearly shows us that’s not the case. Don’t just think words—speak them aloud in faith. Let the storm hear you declare what’s going to happen!
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