Finding Peace in the midst if Storm.

 

When life's difficulties seem never-ending, who do you turn to? When tears are your closest companion, where do you find comfort? And when waiting seems unbearable, what do you do?

We all face moments like these—times when we need someone to talk to, someone to lean on, someone who can reassure us that there's nothing wrong with us. We long for that one person who can bring a sense of calm when everything else feels out of control.

But here's the good news: as children of God, we have Someone who promises to be our refuge. Psalm 46:1 tells us, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." He knew we'd face challenges, and He promised to be there with us.

God understands the difficult seasons we go through, and while they're tough, He doesn't want these troubles to rob us of our peace.

I know how tiring it can be to hold onto peace when sleepless nights come with unrelenting worries. Even Jesus faced storms. In Mark 4:38, while Jesus was asleep in a boat during a raging storm, His disciples cried out, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Jesus responded, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

Here we see a picture of peace—the kind of peace Jesus had even in the middle of a storm. This peace, however, doesn't come from our circumstances. It's found in the Lord.

In our brokenness, we can draw near to Him, finding comfort in His presence and discovering the deep, abiding love that drives out fear.

During these seasons of waiting, God is working in the storms.

Waiting can be exhausting. There are times when you feel fear creeping in, and then you're like, "Lord, what is this?" But He's there.

How do you wait on the Lord? What do you do while in the storm?

Do you wait tearfully, in anger, in hope, or in praise?

When we speak about storms, it might seem like it’s for specific people, but we all go through challenging seasons. We all wait on something from the Lord. But it's very important that we wait in hope, faith, and praise, believing that, though we don’t see it, but it is over, it's settled. By doing this, God gives us peace while bringing our desired expectations. God is doing something in us to prepare us for what He has for us. 

Finding Strength and Reassurance in Scriptures

Philippians 4:4-9 gives us a powerful reminder it says;

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

The enemy’s goal during these storms is to steal our peace. If he can rob us of peace, he can gain a foothold in our lives. But God, the God of peace, stands with us, closer than we can imagine. He is ready to give His peace—a peace that is steady in the face of life’s storms—because He cares deeply for us.

So, shake off that pain, shake off that anger and hate, and be peaceful.

So, when your world feels like it’s crumbling, remember: God is nearby. And in Him, you can find true, lasting peace.

Exercising our faith for the now.

A few years ago, while I was studying for my degree, I received a call from someone who had just checked her exam results. The cutoff for the exam was 180, but she scored 181. She asked me, "Will I be admitted?" I confidently responded, "Yes, you will." Stirring faith in her, I explained to her, “It was possible for you to have scored 179, but God allowed you to score 181 because He wants to do something. In previous years, you passed but weren’t admitted. This time, God wants you to trust Him to make it happen.”

The first admission list was released, but her name wasn’t on it. She was discouraged, but I told her, “Relax, A few weeks later, she checked the next list—and there it was: her name was on it. She had been admitted. That was trust and faith in action.

This reminds me of a Bible story that still sends shivers down the spines of those who hear it—a story that challenges us to trust in God’s power and provision. It’s the remarkable account of Jesus' ability to multiply, seen in the feeding of the 5,000 with only five loaves and two fishes (Matthew 14:16-21). In this miraculous moment, Jesus reveals His awareness of our deepest needs.

When the disciples suggested sending the crowd away, Jesus responded, “They need not depart; give ye them to eat” (Matthew 14:16). He took the loaves and fishes, looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke them, and distributed them among the multitude.

This story shows us Jesus’ awareness of their hunger and His compassion in meeting their needs. In the same way, God is very aware of every challenge we face and knows our hearts’ desire for a miracle. However, the breakthroughs we seek often respond to the faith we place in His Word and consist study in the word grows your faith. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

When Jesus was choosing His disciples, He encountered Simon Peter while he was fishing. In Luke 5:4-5 (KJV), Jesus says, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Peter replied, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net.” This demonstrates that faith requires us to act on God's instructions, even without seeing a visible possibility. It’s not about believing in our own calculations, but in God's capacity to deliver.

When did we start doubting that our challenges could be settled by God? Why did we let the enemy have the last say over our lives? After all, we are more than conquerors—sometimes battered but never destroyed.

To witness God’s work, we need to put our faith into action. Exercised faith is faith that grows. Like an athlete training for victory, faith requires practice. Miracles don’t always come easily; they require us to step intentionally into the victory God has for us. With Him, no challenge is impossible. Friends, trials are opportunities in disguise—moments that allow us to exercise our faith and experience the miraculous.

Exercising our faith brings maturity, inner peace, joy, and prepares us for what’s next. 

So, faith up! God stands ready to respond to our faith in His Word, but it won’t happen until we intentionally put our faith to work.

Embracing God's purpose: Come Forth, There's a Greater Plan Ahead.

 

Embrace Your Greater Purpose: Arise and Come Forth

A few years ago, I was at a restaurant when I saw my friend Ejiro sitting alone, enjoying some ice cream. The appealing look of her dessert tempted me to ask for a taste. But as soon as I took a bite, I realized something was off—it was sour. Looking closer, I saw that the ice cream had separated, with water pooling on the side. I told Ejiro, “This ice cream is bad.” She smiled and replied, “Eh, it’s okay, I can manage it; it’s better than nothing.”

That encounter stayed with me long after I left the restaurant. As I reflected on it, I realized it had a deeper meaning: many of us settle for less because we fail to recognize the greater things God has in store for us. We often envy others' seemingly perfect lives, unaware of the challenges they face. And too often, we rush into decisions simply because we’re tired of waiting, not realizing that God has something far better planned for us.

God's Plan for You

For each of us, God has a well-thought-out plan and purpose. None of us is a mistake. In Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV), God says to the prophet, “Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee...” This scripture emphasizes that God has known us even before we were born. Our lives are not random—they are part of His divine plan. But to fully walk in this plan, we must break free from the walls of limitation and lies we’ve believed about ourselves.

As Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Our mindset plays a huge role in how we see ourselves and the life we are capable of living. We need to transform our thinking to align with God’s truth.

In John 11:43, when Jesus called Lazarus to come forth from the grave, He was issuing a command to step beyond limitations, break free from bondage, and move into something greater. “Come forth” was not just a physical command—it was a spiritual invitation to rise above the past and embrace the fullness of God’s plan.

Similarly, in Isaiah 60:1, God says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” God has called us to be lights in the world, to shine forth His glory. He knows the smallness we sometimes feel, but He is calling us to something greater.

Living in God's Promise

In Romans 8:14-17, we are reminded that we have not been given a spirit of bondage, but the Spirit of adoption. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God… The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.” As children of God, we are heirs to His promises. Our identity in Christ is one of victory, not defeat. We are called to rise above our circumstances and walk in the fullness of His purpose.

God’s plan for us is not one of limitation or defeat. We are meant to rise above, not to remain beneath. “I shall be above only, and not beneath” (Deuteronomy 28:13). No matter the challenges, we are called to walk in victory, living out God’s promises.

So, the time is now for you to arise, come forth, and embrace the life He’s calling you to. Don’t settle for less when God has something greater in store. Trust Him, step out in faith, and let Him lead you into the abundant life He’s preordained for you.

Standing Firm: Making God's Word our Living Standards.

Have you ever faced challenges that tested your faith and convictions? I recently pondered God's standards for His children and was reminded of Daniel's inspiring story.

Daniel 1:8-16 recounts Daniel's resolve to refuse the king's food: "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way." Despite the pressure to conform—fearing that he, along with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, would appear weaker than the others—he persisted. They stood firm, and God honored their commitment. In verse 1:15, it says, "At the end of the ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food."

After salvation, we do not return to living the way we once did. Old things have passed away, and we are now living a new life based on the standards of God's kingdom. As Romans 12:2 (GNT) says, "Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and pleasing to him and is perfect."

Standards enhance excellence and should never be lowered to accommodate mediocrity. God has given His children standards that set them apart. Yet, we often forget our position in Christ during times of pressure and tend to compromise our standards in an attempt to fit in. The standards of this world may seem palatable and popular, but they are not God's way.

God’s standards will not frustrate you; they are living and powerful, and they give us the good things we desire. While we may not fully see the world we are creating in the meantime, using God’s Word as your living standard sets you apart—not in an awkward way, but in a way that honors God.

If someone doesn’t like you for upholding your standards, then they are not meant to be in your life. God is raising men and women of honor, but this life of honor cannot be achieved until you make His Word the standard you live by. Your journey is personal, and a life that pleases God is the goal. You cannot make God's Word your standard and end up in the sand.

God’s presence is unwavering. He wants us to know that He never leaves or forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5). He is always present to help and desires to teach us a more fulfilling and blessed way to live.

Making God's Word our standard equips us to face life’s challenges with courage and faith. As Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Let God’s Word illuminate your journey.

As you take each step on your journey today, Aways remember that God’s Word, like a lamp, is illuminating your every step and He won't stop until you look just like him.