STORM STRESS - From my book: Trial Travels

STORM STRESS

Matthew 14:23-33 In the night Jesus walked on the water to get to the disciples.  Their boat was now in the midst of the sea.  The high winds were whipping the waves and the ship was tossing greatly.  Peter said loudly, "Lord, if it's really you, allow me to come where you are, let me walk on the water, also."  Jesus gave a one word command, "Come".  Peter made it over the side of the boat, placed his feet on the turbulent water and walked...he was performing a supernatural feat...he was walking on water...he was going to Jesus!

Peter was doing something no other man had done and...at the simple command of Jesus!  It wasn't Jesus' idea.  Peter asked if he could "come".  Perhaps others in the boat could've walked on water, but they didn't ask.

TRIAL TRUTH:  Going to Jesus is a supernatural event. 

Boat stats:  one out of twelve attempt supernatural involvement! 

 Peter was fully engaged in a supernatural happening until he looked at natural circumstances!  He felt the strength of the problem and fear entered!  When he saw the strong wind, he became fearful. 

TRIAL TRUTH:  Man nor devil could stop Peter
 from getting out of the boat and going to Jesus,
 even if it meant walking on water to get to Him! 
....this is the ultimate mode of trial travel.... 

Regardless of your mode of travel, if you are in a trial...you must get to Jesus.  You must reach Him.  He is your only hope.

Satan is hindered when there's a supernatural encounter going on between you and Jesus.  You are looking at Jesus and He's looking at you.  You are talking to Jesus in the midst of the storm.  You've got a dialogue going with the Son of God!  You are doing things you've never done before!

Thus, the enemy uses the natural realm to interfere with the supernatural realm!

The devil uses emotional and mental strongholds to divert your attention.  There's only one reason for fear and it is:  to divert your attention from Jesus to the circumstances of your storm.  The enemy attempts to block, intercept, hinder, restrain, or literally cut you off from walking in the supernatural in order to keep you from reaching Jesus!!   Knowing that....

Once you get there, you will touch Him.   Once  you get into His presence ...you put your hand in His,  It's too late for the spirit of  fear to control you!

Peter felt the force of the elements and began to sink.  He shouted through the voluminous onslaught of obstacles.   "Lord, save me!"  Immediately Jesus stretched forth His Hand and caught Peter and said, "Oh, you fellow of little faith, why did you doubt?"  The wind didn't stop because Jesus caught Peter by the hand!  It continued to rage.  They walked through the storm together...back to the boat.  Then the wind ceased.

TRIAL TRUTH:  Don't worry about the storm,

walk through it, hand in hand with Jesus. 

The storm will cease when you arrive at your destination.

Author's afterthought:  We would have not been so impressed if Peter had tried to swim in the stormy waters.  That's what we would have done.  That's what we do!  Greater effort and energy is required to struggle against the powerful waves if you are "in" the water.  The storm demands your focus.  Your storm is narcissistic, self-centered and desires dominance.  It has a huge ego.  It says, "It's all about me.  I want all of the attention."  

NOTE:  It is much less stressful to walk on water than it is to swim in it. 

So, today...get out of your boat of troubles
and walk (don't swim) to Jesus...
you will find great relief!