 “Without warning, a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was asleepâ€
 (Matthew 8:24).
We may be discouraged when storms come into our lives, especially when we’re doing the right things. Because of this, we may conclude that somehow we are out of the will of God. However, the disciples were in the boat at the direction of Jesus (Mark 4:35).
Note that the Lord’s presence did not keep the storm away.  No one is immune to the difficulties of life—regardless of age, race, color, financial status, or where you may live. They may come when we are walking in obedience to Him.Â
On the Sea of Galilee a boat could be gliding along smoothly, then without warning, a sudden squall will sweep down, tossing it in its angry waves. This is how many of our storms of life arrive—suddenly and unexpectedly.  When we least expect them–storms of adversity, death, disappointment, sickness, and waves of sorrow, and others seem to overwhelm us. Â
Temptations also come when we are not looking for them. And disasters. And tragedies. One moment things seem peaceful enough, then you receive a phone call with the news that a close friend or loved-one was in an accident, or worse, has died. Or you have been betrayed by someone you trusted and thought would never let you down.  Or perhaps your workplace squeezes you out of a job and the housing market tanks.
Like frost on shrubs and flowers, it does not hang out warning signs—it just happens. We can only be ready for our storms by always being ready.  How do we do that? As we learn to trust God more and more, we can have His peace knowing that He will always take care of us as we walk hand in hand with Him.
The raging storms may round us beat, A shelter in the time of storm;
We’ll never leave our safe retreat, A shelter in the time of storm. –Vernon J. Charlesworth
It has been said: “To realize the worth of an anchor, we need to feel the stress of the storm.â€Â We must know for certain that our Anchor holds! We can say with the psalmist, “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress. I will never be shaken†(Psalm 62:1-2).
They are HIS waves, and He directs us through them;
So He has promised, so His love will do.
Keeping and leading, guiding and upholding,
To His sure harbor, He will bring us through. –Annie Johnson Flint