Christians live in a world where the false teachings, deceptions and scams of the lost are intended to:
- Distract our hearts and minds from God’s purposes for our lives.
- Distort our understanding and application of God’s Word.
- Disrupt our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Destroy our testimony.
- Drown our hope.
When we get overwhelmed and start believing that things are out of control, when our grip on the anchor of the soul begins to slip, it seems as if we are being tossed about with no help in sight. We begin to lose our sense of direction and forget our purpose.
How does this happen and what can we do about it?
Where is Jesus
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is always with us (Matthew 28:20). But when we don’t walk with Him daily (seeking Him in prayer, Bible study, fellowship with other believers, sharing the truth, service…), it may feel like He is a million miles away.
- Matthew 14:24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
- After feeding the 5,000, Jesus sent the disciples across the Sea of Galilee. When a storm arose, the disciples strained against the winds and waves. Jesus saw their struggles (Mark 6:48) and came to them walking on the water. When you are battling the waves of life, remember that no matter how far away Jesus feels, the fact is, He is always with you. Keep watching to see when and how He will reveal His love and power (John 6:21).
Lightening the Load
The cares of this world weigh us down. The heavier the load, the deeper we sink. The deeper we sink, the higher the waves seem. The higher the waves seem, the more desperate we feel.
- Acts 27:18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.
- As a prisoner, Paul was sailing to Rome to face trial. Off the coast of Crete, the ship he was on encountered a very strong and dangerous storm. In order to survive the storm, those onboard had to lighten the load. Getting rid of excess weight allowed them to ride higher in the waves and take on less water. What is weighing you down? Come to Jesus and find rest for your soul; His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).
Believing His Promises
Jesus’ brother James told Christians scattered by severe persecution to ‘count it all joy when you fall into various trials’ (James 1:2). How joyful are you when facing the trials of this life?
- James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
- James went on to tell these Christians that if they lacked the spiritual maturity (wisdom) to joyfully grow through trials, that they were to ask God for it. God even promises through James that He will give them this wisdom if they ask in faith (James 1:3-8). Are you believing God’s promises? Or are you allowing the winds of this world to push you around?
Becoming Like Him
We read in Ephesians 4:11-12 why Jesus gave us spiritual leaders (to equip Christians for the work of His church and to build us up as a body of believers). In verse 14 we see the intended result of this (the false teachings, deceptions and scams of the lost will no longer cause us to be tossed about like children).
- Ephesians 4:14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
- But it is verse 13 that tells us how this intended result is achieved. We must attain:
- The unity of the faith
- Alignment with the doctrinal truths contained in scripture.
- The knowledge of the Son of God
- Clear understanding of who Jesus is and what the Bible says about Him.
- A perfect man
- Not flawless, but having reached a certain level of Christian maturity.
- The measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
- The perfect standard against which we are measured is Jesus Himself.
When waves are crashing all around us,
Our life preserver is Jesus Christ!
He is the only source of stability
In the midst of life’s storms!!
We go from ‘Tossed’ to ‘Triumphant’
By becoming more like Jesus!!!
Prayer
Dear Lord in Heaven, I pray that Your Spirit and Your Word will lead me to the level of Christian maturity where the storms of life become cool breezes on my face. I pray this Father for all Your children. May Your will be done in Your perfect time. You are my shelter and my strength, the rock upon which I stand, my Savior and my King. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
