Word and Prayer, Matthew 8

Then he got in the boat, his disciples with him. The next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm. Waves were crashing into the boat—and he was sound asleep! They roused him, pleading, “Master, save us! We’re going down!”

Jesus reprimanded them. “Why are you such cowards, such faint-hearts?” Then he stood up and told the wind to be silent, the sea to quiet down: “Silence!” The sea became smooth as glass (Matthew 8:23-26 MSG).

One day last week I hit a wall. I was emotional, weeping and sobbing (not just crying). I was sad, frightened, scared for others. I had received some surprising bad news from a friend, some potential bad news from a family member, and was frustrated over a few personal things going on. I hadn’t slept well for a few nights (or a week) and was exhausted. I felt like I was to carry all of this on my own, being tossed in the storm. I sat on the deck and felt the rise and fall of each wave, just KNOWING that one of them would toss me over. Surely I was going to drown in the depths of bad news swirling around me. I was in no condition to be on a boat like this! Let me off.

I had forgotten Who was with me. Who was for me. Who loved each of those involved in every circumstance I was fretting over, and knowing that they each love Him, serve Him.

Yes, it was a lot going on, but my job was to carry it in prayer, turning these things over to Him, again and again. Releasing them. Letting Him deal with the details and just laying it all at His feet. Letting Him calm the storm instead of removing me from the ship.

It wasn’t wrong of me to be crying, I was mourning, which was worthy of some of these circumstances I carried (and it motivated me to take a really good power walk around my neighborhood—wind whipping at my tear stained cheeks), but I had no faith. In those moments I felt that I would never stop sobbing. My heart hurt deeply, and I feared the future. How could I carry on? My prayers were gasps of air asking God to fix things by removing them from my vision instead of focusing my line of sight on the One who could calm the stormy seas. We could stay upon this boat, keep our journey moving forward, and still arrive at our destination (heaven, right?). I had lost sight of the goal and the tools to get us there.

All it took was a lot of prayer, a good dinner, and a good night’s sleep to have a better perspective on the situation. Nothing has changed. There’s been no new news to change any of the circumstances that troubled me, but my focus has changed to keep my eyes locked on the eyes of the One who can fix everything. Jesus.

My Prayer

Lord, I can be afraid of the things happening around me, be afraid for the things happening to those I love, be afraid for all the unknowns in my life. Help me to remember that they are already known to You.

You not only know the vessels we are sailing in, you know the bathymetric features of the sea. You know the depths of the valleys we hike, and when we will hit the mountain tops. You know the pain we will feel in our journeys, and when we will feel it. You have felt this pain, and so much more.

Father, help me to lock eyes with You. Help me to see the kindness and compassion You have for me and those I love, not because I love them but because You love them even more. Let Your love propel me to trust You in every situation You are walking with me, and with them.

I trust You with the storms of my life. Thank You for not leaving me alone, and for teaching me to trust You through Your Word. You are worthy of my praise.

In Your name I pray, Jesus. Amen.

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©2023 Word, prayer and picture, Marina Bromley, Marina's Kitchen Table.