This morning, as I woke up, my heart was heavy because of some of the things that friends, family, and staff members are enduring. I have concern for them, but I have an even bigger God. So He is the one I take my concerns to.

In my quiet time this morning, as I was praying for those I love and their circumstances, God impressed upon my heart that He is already there. For friends who have recently lost loved ones, He is there comforting. For friends who have loved ones in the hospital, He is there overseeing and guiding the medical staff and He is there comforting. For friends who are experiencing relationship difficulties, job loss, financial stress…He is already there. God’s presence will comfort us in all our storms.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18).

If we read in the gospels the story of when the disciples were out on their boat when a raging storm whipped up around them, Scripture tells us that they encountered Jesus in that storm. Jesus was walking on the water and told them not to be afraid, to take courage, because it was Him.

“But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
(Matthew 14:27)

But the interesting thing to me is that Scripture tells us that Jesus intended to walk on by their boat (Mark 6:48). I don’t know about you, but that isn’t necessarily the most comforting thought to me, to think that in the midst of one of the worst storms in my life, Jesus might just walk right past me.

The more I thought about that, and the more I prayed about that, it just didn’t make sense to me why Jesus would intend to walk right past his friends when they were in need. But it’s because His presence in the storm should be enough to comfort us. He’s already there. Our crises do not take Him by surprise—He’s already there.

In that familiar passage, it tells us that He told the disciples to go to the other side of the lake (Mark 6:45). They were going to get there. It was a done deal as far as Jesus was concerned. He prophetically told them they would make it when He told them to go to the other side. So they really had nothing to fear.

Yet the enemy of our soul swoops in and whispers in our ear so we will be afraid because of the circumstances going on around us, instead of trusting and believing what God has already said. He wants us to be afraid of our circumstances, afraid of the diagnosis from the doctor, afraid of what will happen to our family members, afraid there will be more month than there is paycheck…

But that’s the enemy’s lies, because Jesus is already there in the storm with us. The fact that Jesus intended to just walk on by, tells me that His presence alone should be enough to comfort our hearts in the midst of our storm.

In the story, it was the disciples who yelled out to Him. Then He took the time to stop. He responded to their pleas by telling them not to be afraid, take courage, because it was Him they saw.

So whatever we’re facing, whatever difficulty, whatever trial we are encountering, we can call out to Him, and He will say the same thing to us, “Take courage, do not be afraid, I am here.” Those three words, “I am here,” tells us that His presence is enough to comfort us in whatever storm we are facing.

Keep your eyes firmly planted on Him, because His presence will comfort you during whatever storm you are going through today. I pray that encourages your heart, and that you see the love of the Father towards you. May you experience a hope-filled day, because He goes through today with you.

Because of Him, #PeacePrevails!

Other popular posts that will encourage your heart in hard times.

God is Greater than the Storm – He’s bigger than what we see, feel or hear. He created the universe.

God Can Use Even Our Storms for Good – What the enemy intends for harm, God will use for good.

Maintain Your Peace in the Storm – Your storm doesn’t take God by surprise.

Hope Prevails Book and Hope Prevails Bible Study offer hope for overcoming depression.

Available now through book retailers!

Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression and the new companion Hope Prevails Bible Study help the reader understand: how depression comes to be, recover their joy, reclaim their peace, and re-establish their true identity, while knowing their worth, remembering their secure destiny, and being confident that nothing separates them from God’s love.