Life is guaranteed to throw some tough times at us! But, how do we handle it? There are three sailing tips to help us smooth out those rough seas as we sail through this sea of life.
1. Life Skills and Adaptability...Change what needs changing while maintaining balance and presence of mind. Learn new skills to help us communicate and navigate the tough times.
2. Awareness and Foresight...Pay attention to what is going on around us! Too often we see trouble coming and do nothing to avoid it. Prepare our ship, seek a safe harbor, ANCHOR DOWN!
3. Have an Adventurers Spirit...Test our skills, venture further from shore as we get better at navigating tough times!
Smooth Sailing doesn't come just from no tests or trials, but from how well we make the adjustments necessary to navigate those tests and trials.
Blessings,
Dr. Tim
Launch the fleet!
Showing posts with label trials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trials. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Friday, December 30, 2011
IN SPITE OF THE STORMS!
As the year comes to an end, I am reflecting on some things that I have read on a popular social media site this year that is a little disheartening. Some cannot help but to put their personal lives on the internet for all the world to see. Trouble is, they put the "Woe is me!" way too often.
Realizing that we all have bad days, I would like to share some things that might just help us through those times. Especially those who claim to be Christians.
In Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus rescued the disciples from the greatest storm they had ever faced in their lives. Reflecting on the storms that Christians face today and how God rescues His people in their own storms, I am reminded that:
Realizing that we all have bad days, I would like to share some things that might just help us through those times. Especially those who claim to be Christians.
In Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus rescued the disciples from the greatest storm they had ever faced in their lives. Reflecting on the storms that Christians face today and how God rescues His people in their own storms, I am reminded that:
- Jesus knew the disciples were going out into the greatest storm of their lives yet He sent them out into it anyway.
- Jesus left them to struggle in the storm for 8 or 9 hours and chose to leave them fighting the wind and waves.
- Jesus was praying on the mountainside alone with His Father, yet He knew exactly where His disciples were and for how long He was going to stretch their faith.
As Christians today, Jesus Christ sees your problems and the issues you are facing, even though it may feel as though He has abandoned you. Like He saw the disciples in the storm on the sea (Mark 6:47-48), this Proverb describes God as He watches over us.
“The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)
In the storms of life that we face, Jesus keeps His eyes fixed upon us just like He never took His eyes off the disciples in their storm while they were out for hours and hours under pressure.
We may feel that Jesus has left us in the middle of our storms and has abandoned us. But He wants to test our faith. He wants to strengthen us, to see His character and love impressed into our lives before He takes us out of the storm.
“Jesus does not save His children from the storm, He saves them in the storm.” (Spurgeon)
Remember these words of Christ when things seem unbearable in our daily storms:
“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Matt. 14:27)
Since it is raining on my parade, I think I'll dance in the rain!
Blessed,
Dr. Tim
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Rough Ride!
Today we were on the boat enjoying the lake. The sun was shining and boaters were everywhere. All of a sudden the sky started to darken, the wind began to get stronger, and the rain was coming across the lake like a curtain being drawn at the end of a Broadway play!
On the other side of the lake, several miles away, the sun was shining. I began to think,"If we go towards the sunshine, we can get out of the way of this storm." But, this storm was moving too fast and widening as it got closer. Whoooosh! Hard rain, huge waves, the boat was tossed to and fro, and worst of all, no visibility!
I slowed the boat and kept trying to move in the direction of the sun. The more we moved, the worse the storm became. Here we were in the middle of a large lake and struggling to find safety in the center of a thunder storm! My family was all huddled together and hanging on! Waiting for me to do something to get them out of this mess!
At this point, I was frustrated. There was literally nothing I could do. I slowed the boat even more and kept a watchful eye towards land. "Lord, we can't take much more of this," I prayed. "Will you ease this storm so that we can get back home?"
Several minutes went by. Then, the rain began to cease and the sun began to shine! "Home! I can see it!" Immediately, I pointed the boat towards home and continued until we were all safe. The trip back was eye opening. Several sailboats had capsized! We stopped to help those along our way to our safe haven.
As we docked the boat, I was reminded of a passage of scripture that I had read. It had just become a reality! That passage was Psalm 107:23-30. NKJV
"23Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters, 24They see the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep. 25For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea. 26They mount up to the heavens, They go down again to the depths; Their soul melts because of trouble. 27They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end. 28Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. 29He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. 30Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven."
The storms in our life come upon us sometimes without warning. Sometimes, however, we see them coming but struggle to get out of their way. Either way, they still come! But what do we do when these situations overtake us? Most of the time we fight them or try to out smart them. Only to find ourselves frustrated with no answers or peaceful end in sight.
All the while, the One who can calm the storms in our life is standing by to still the waves and bring us peace and comfort. He is waiting for us to cry out to Him so that He can bring us out of our distresses.
As we walked up the dock toward the house, I watched everyone as they hurried to get inside and "freshen up." We all bore the marks of the storm...soaked, weary, and even somewhat disappointed. But we were safe!
Our life storms will sometimes leave us scarred and battered, and even at times capsize us. Nevertheless, as we place our trust in the Lord, we will arrive at our safe haven!
By the way, the weather will be nice next week. I think I'll go for a boat ride!
On the other side of the lake, several miles away, the sun was shining. I began to think,"If we go towards the sunshine, we can get out of the way of this storm." But, this storm was moving too fast and widening as it got closer. Whoooosh! Hard rain, huge waves, the boat was tossed to and fro, and worst of all, no visibility!
I slowed the boat and kept trying to move in the direction of the sun. The more we moved, the worse the storm became. Here we were in the middle of a large lake and struggling to find safety in the center of a thunder storm! My family was all huddled together and hanging on! Waiting for me to do something to get them out of this mess!
At this point, I was frustrated. There was literally nothing I could do. I slowed the boat even more and kept a watchful eye towards land. "Lord, we can't take much more of this," I prayed. "Will you ease this storm so that we can get back home?"
Several minutes went by. Then, the rain began to cease and the sun began to shine! "Home! I can see it!" Immediately, I pointed the boat towards home and continued until we were all safe. The trip back was eye opening. Several sailboats had capsized! We stopped to help those along our way to our safe haven.
As we docked the boat, I was reminded of a passage of scripture that I had read. It had just become a reality! That passage was Psalm 107:23-30. NKJV
"23Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters, 24They see the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep. 25For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea. 26They mount up to the heavens, They go down again to the depths; Their soul melts because of trouble. 27They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end. 28Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses. 29He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. 30Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven."
The storms in our life come upon us sometimes without warning. Sometimes, however, we see them coming but struggle to get out of their way. Either way, they still come! But what do we do when these situations overtake us? Most of the time we fight them or try to out smart them. Only to find ourselves frustrated with no answers or peaceful end in sight.
All the while, the One who can calm the storms in our life is standing by to still the waves and bring us peace and comfort. He is waiting for us to cry out to Him so that He can bring us out of our distresses.
As we walked up the dock toward the house, I watched everyone as they hurried to get inside and "freshen up." We all bore the marks of the storm...soaked, weary, and even somewhat disappointed. But we were safe!
Our life storms will sometimes leave us scarred and battered, and even at times capsize us. Nevertheless, as we place our trust in the Lord, we will arrive at our safe haven!
By the way, the weather will be nice next week. I think I'll go for a boat ride!
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