Give your storms to god

A person of faith will look at a big storm before him and say “Oh storm, I have a big God”.  A person without faith will look at the storm and say, “Oh God, I have a big storm”.

Often in life, we get too busy looking at the face of the storm instead of looking at the face of the one who can calm it.  We busy ourselves trying to handle life’s problems instead of giving it to the Lord. The Psalmist sings, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall”.

When Jesus and his disciples set out in a boat he knew how unpredictable the sea could be, but he entrusted himself to the heavenly father. Then there arose a storm at sea and the boat in which they were sailing was tossed by the storm.  Interestingly, Jesus was “fast asleep”, undisturbed by the sound of the storm or the rocking boat, while the disciples busied themselves with the sails.  When their energies were all drained out, they had to wake up Jesus for help.  Jesus then calms the storm with the words “Peace. Be still”.

John Newton, born on July 24, 1725, the son of a commander of a merchant ship went through a stormy life. After long voyages at sea, finding conditions intolerable, he abandoned the ship he worked on only to be recaptured and mercilessly flogged in public and even demoted.

He was soon exchanged into service on a slave ship, became the servant of a slave trader and was brutally abused. He then became captain of his own ship but only to face a very violent storm at sea and the ship was to sink.  He had no strong faith in God but cried out “Lord, have mercy upon us”. It was May 10, 1748 when he experienced God’s deliverance and steered the ship back to safety. He pursued the study of Scriptures and then became a very popular preacher and pastor in the Methodist Church.

Recalling the horrors of his past life, he penned one of the most beautiful hymns that is sung even today in churches . 

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!
Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
John Newton’s story brought many to give their storms to God.  Have you given your storms to God?