Peace in the storm

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

The sun doesn’t shine every day. Every now and then it can be windy, stormy and uncomfortable. The clouds cover the blue sky, it gets dark, cloudy and cold. Severe storms can also be dangerous and cause damage, e.g. B. floods, mudslides, hurricanes, lightning or hail.

In our life, too, we often go through stormy times. We experience difficult times, circumstances and crises that cloud our view. Situations that are uncomfortable and threatening for us. The current situation around Corona is also like a storm that mixes everything up, one wave after another hits us. Many people struggle with uncertainty, doubts, fears, worries or hopelessness.

However, we do not have to become the playball of the waves in our storms of life and be helpless at the mercy of them, there is a way to keep calm and peace in the midst of difficult circumstances. I found this calm in the storm through community, my relationship with God. There is also a story in the Bible about a storm in which Jesus was on a boat with his disciples:

Jesus stills the storm

“When evening came, Jesus said to his disciples,“ We ​​want to go to the other side of the lake. Jesus was already in the boat. So the disciples released the crowd, got into the boat with him, and drove off. Several other boats went with them. But soon afterwards a violent storm arose and high waves pounded the boat until it was almost completely full of water. Meanwhile, Jesus was sleeping in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow. In their desperation they finally woke him up and shouted: “Teacher, don’t you mind that we perish?” Jesus woke up, threatened the wind and commanded the water: “Be silent!” Shut up! ‘Immediately the wind died down and there was a deep silence. And he asked the disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? ”Fearful they said to each other:“ Who is this man that even wind and waves obey him? ”

If we take Jesus with us on our ship of life, if he is our captain, if we believe and trust in him, we must not be afraid. Jesus has everything under control and he can work miracles at any time. Wind and waves obey him. We will not go down with Jesus in the boat. We can fix our eyes on him, ask him for help, and let him help us. We can keep our peace because God is with us and leads and guides us through the storms. God is greater than any storm that threatens us. We can find our rest in God, be hopeful and confident. It is our foundation and gives us support. Jesus brings us to the safe shore. He is the anchor in need.

“To know what an anchor is, we need the storm” Quote from Corrie ten Boom

Storms also have their positive sides. They make us aware that we cannot do everything on our own and that we need a savior. When we get weak, God is our strength.

“My grace is all you need. My strength is shown in your weakness ”2 Corinthians 12: 9

The storms also make us grow in faith and in our relationship with God.

When my heart trusts in you and look at your love I find peace, I find peace can I defeat storm and waves In the midst of turbulent times Your presence will always be with me. Even in the greatest uncertainty with you is peace always. My troubled heart becomes still and comes to rest for the God who keeps my peace is you. (Ulrike Nägele)

“Anyone who listens to what I have said and acts accordingly is wise. You can compare him to a man who builds his house on rocky ground. If a downpour comes down, the water rises, and the storm rattles the house, it will still not collapse because it is built on rock. ”Matthew 7: 24-25

“If you are safe from God before the storm, he will also take care of you during the storm” quote from Dèborah Rosenkranz

Persistence

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

What is persistence? Persistence means immutability, durability, reliability, stability and loyalty. Consistency is a strong rock, a secure anchor, a constant, a hold.

Have you ever asked yourself who in this world is actually permanent, what is permanent? Does something like this actually exist?

The world is constantly changing, nothing stays the same. Times change, people change, feelings change etc. and yet people have always longed in their hearts to look for something that always remains.

“He has placed in the heart of man the desire to search about what is eternal.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

When I look back on my life, this search and the questions of meaning began at a young age. When everything changes, everything passes and nothing remains, everything has no sense either. Where do I come from? Where do I go? Why I’m here? Our life has to have a bigger meaning than that we live on earth for a few decades and then it’s all over.

I didn’t know then that my search was basically the search for God. Only he was able to satisfy this longing in me, because only God is eternal and constant.

God’s love doesn’t change

“Because I am quite sure: Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons [7], neither present nor future nor any powers, neither high nor low or anything else in the world can separate us from the love of God, which he in us Jesus Christ our Lord gives. ”Romans 8: 38-39

God’s character does not change

“I, the LORD, do not change” Malachi 3: 6

“I am the LORD, the merciful and gracious God. My patience is great, my love and loyalty know no end! I let people experience my love over thousands of generations. I forgive guilt, injustice and sin, but I do not leave everything unpunished. ”Exodus 34: 5-7

God’s good qualities do not change

“Praise the Lord, for he is good, and his grace never ceases” 1 Chronicles 16:34

God’s promises don’t change

“God is not a man that he lies, nor a human child that he should repent. Should he say something and not do something? Should he speak and not keep something? ”Numbers 23:19

God’s plans don’t change

“God also made an oath so that the recipients of this promise could be absolutely certain that it was immutable. So God gave us both his promise and his oath, both of which cannot be changed because God does not lie. For us who have sought refuge in him, this is a great encouragement, because we want to achieve the goal that lies before us, the fulfillment of hope, Hebrews 6: 17-18

God’s purposes do not change

“All good gifts and all perfect gifts come down from above, from the Father of light, with whom there is no change, nor change of light and darkness” James 1:17

God’s ways don’t change

“But what the Lord wills is forever, and what he intends is forever established” Psalm 33:11

God’s truth does not change

“Your truth endures for and for” Psalm 119.90

God’s word doesn’t change

“I assure you: not the smallest letter in God’s law – not even a single line of it – will ever lose its validity as long as heaven and earth exist. Everything must be fulfilled. ”Matthew 5:18

“Heaven and earth will pass away; but my words endure forever ”Matthew 24:35

God’s Son does not change

“Jesus Christ yesterday and today and the same forever” Hebrews 13: 8

“But Jesus lives forever, and his priesthood is therefore immortal. That is why he can completely and forever save all who turn to God through him. He lives forever to stand up for them with God. ”Hebrews 7: 24-25

“A long time ago you created everything, heaven and earth are the work of your hands. They will pass, but you will stay. Like old clothes they will fall apart, like a worn out garment you take them off and change them. But you remain one and the same, your years have no end ”Psalm 102: 26-28

God’s constant love is my rock, my anchor, my hold. I can rely on him at all times. He is my rest in a changing time and my security in eternity.