Devotional by Jason Broux
This week in BC Leader we are excited to hear from sophomore BC student Jason Broux. We have all gone through tough times and wished we would have had just the right words, guidance and encouragement to get us through. If that sounds like your current situation, we have just the word for you. Take a breather and dig in to this awesome and encouraging devo.
Mark 4:35-41 - 35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 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?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Being a Christian in today’s world can be very challenging at times. In the midst of the busyness of ministry we can become blinded by storms in our lives. There may be things that God has called us to that we refuse to do because we don't want to go through the storm that may come with it. A lot of us believe that since we are in a ministry environment everyday, we’re exempt from the storms of life. But God didn’t promise us exemption; He promised us protection. And a lot of us let our current circumstances blind us from His eternal promises. And I feel like something we struggle with is keeping faith during the storms. So today I want to give us some ways to keep your faith strong during the storms!
Instead of drowning yourself in fear and self-doubt, pray. Pour your heart out to God from the moment you start your day to the moment you go to bed. Tell Him your deepest fears, let him know what you're worried about and ask Him to give you peace. Remember what it says in Philippians 4:6-7: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Hold on to that scripture and let Him bring peace to you through the storm!
After looking to prayer and asking for peace, you can't just return to the exact things you were doing before. Let prayer be the foundation of your life while also keeping your eyes on him. The storm may get fierce, but He will always be fiercer. We have to continue to look at him through the storm because He is bigger than any storm we may encounter.
2 Corinthians 4:18 : “So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” - James 1:2-3
It may seem weird to praise God for the struggles in your life, but it says in this scripture in James that God puts these storms into your life for a reason. He uses them to shape you, grow you and refine you into the person He wants you to be. He uses them to teach you trust and perseverance, to mature you and show you what dependence really means. So, in the midst of your battles, focus your eyes above and thank God for the opportunity to grow and be shaped into His image. Trust that everything, even the lowest of lows, will serve to better you as a person and strengthen you as a follower of Christ.
I believe God uses storms to test us and grow us in a way that's only possible by going through a storm. So I want to encourage everyone reading that when a storm comes up in life, do not panic and do not fret. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, look to prayer, look to Him, and look to praise and watch Him grow your faith even in the midst of the storm.
Jason Broux is a sophomore at BC earning a bachelor’s degree in Ministerial Leadership. Jason is receiving ministry training through serving in the Pastoral Leadership Practicum.
