The Flame Within

One of the things that fascinate me most about the ocean… is its absolute vastness! It’s huge and the next land mass is a thousand miles or more. The ocean is huge! The sea reminds me of our individual lives. Everyday we deal with the everyday activities and stressors of life, like the waves crashing into the shore. Further out are the rolling waves and the farthest we can see with our eyes is flatness. Looking out, the last thing I see is a flat line… only a waterline and the sky.

However, further out into the sea there happen to be several tropical depesssions, one is Hurricane Francine and another developing storm is forming. Yet, we only know this because of the good weather change and the news, which keep us informed of impending tropical concerns.

In life we always have present day activities looming and concerns, the only difference is that we don’t have the weather channel to inform us of what is coming. Thankfully we have the Bible to teach us and model for us how to prepare for the storms of life and how to manage them when they come upon us.

During the calm everyday activities we should be resting up, preparing, and enjoying the calm and happy moments in life. Yet, most of us grow increasingly anxious about what we can’t see… We often just “wait for the next shoe to drop”.

As a counselor, I see this pattern of anxiety and dread in nearly everyone I see in the office. It’s a normal aspect of life… it impacts all of us to some degree. Anxiety is one of the most difficult disorders and it can drastically and negatively impact our overall quality of life. Anxiety is fears about “real” threats, not a lack of reality. The truth is life has many real fears and none of us are immune to life’s trials. There is a healthy and more efficient way to handle the anxiety and impending storms of our lives.

As I look out into the depths of the sea, I am reminded through the modeling of the sea… To enjoy the present, pray about our real life concerns, and give God the future. We don’t know what storms are looming on the horizon, but we can rest knowing that God does. We can enjoy the break and rest in Him. Rather, than worrying and dreading about what’s over the horizon. Therefore, when the big storms come, we’re more rested and equipped to handle them. Why? Because, we’ve adequately prepared our hearts, minds, and souls for the storms of life.

This is God’s way… He always prepares us for the next trial, if we trust Him with all our heart, mind, body and soul.

We will be okay… God is our captain and knows the sea… He knows it perfectly. Afterall, he created the ocean.

Friends, enjoy the present day activities and hold fast to him in the storms. Live for God!

Mark 35-41

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Blessings,

Crystal