Trusting Amidst the Storm: Embracing God’s Faithfulness in Chaos
A devotional by Dr. LaVonda McCullough
“When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”—Mark 4:39-40 (NLT)
Have you ever found yourself surrounded by turmoil, feeling as if God had forsaken you?
I certainly have. There are moments when all I could do was wear a smile to mask my tears. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, we are not always shielded from life’s trials and tribulations. However, when our connection with God is intimate, we can lean on His unwavering faithfulness.
Jesus had dedicated time to minister to His disciples and the masses. Now, he sought a moment of rest. He had been imparting His teachings, making this a practical examination of their faith.
Did Jesus anticipate the storm? Yes! This was an opportunity to put their faith to the test. Trusting God and having faith are intertwined. After hearing God’s Word and the Good News about Christ, the intention is to increase our faith (Romans 10:17).
Hearing the Word alone is inadequate; it must be accompanied by action. We need to put it into practice on a daily basis. This is one reason why trials are permitted in our lives. Trials don’t emerge due to God’s abandonment or our disobedience and sin. Instead, they forge a testimony that can inspire those in our sphere of influence.
Friends, in the storms of life, you can rely on Jesus.
I confronted a storm in my own life as I witnessed my daughter endure three weeks of paralysis on the left side of her face. Out of nowhere, she woke up one morning, her face paralyzed as if struck by a stroke. My heart ached as I observed droplets of saliva streaming down her face and I saw my daughter’s crushed spirit.
Challenging situations like these cause us to ask, “God, where are You in this storm?”
The Holy Bible shows us that Jonah faced a storm owing to his disobedience, while the disciples encountered theirs through obedience to the Lord. I was confused and began to blame myself for what had happened. My own struggles with obedience and surrender made me feel alone despite being an “all-in” to serving Christ. Though I knew God was with me intellectually, connecting this knowledge with my heart and trusting Him was a challenge. This was a test of trust, an opportunity to bolster my faith journey. It was evident that this was where actions spoke louder than words, and I could choose to praise my way through the chaos.
You may ask, “But, how did you do that, LaVonda, and how can I do that too?”
Perhaps you’ve experienced the chaos of a life crammed with responsibilities: work and church commitments, volunteering, shuttling children to sporting events, and of course being a loving, supportive spouse. Going through the motions of “knowing God’s Word” with a checklist, yet failing to internalize and embrace it was an issue I needed to correct.
The disciples were aware of the promises to reach the other side. It wasn’t a promise of an uneventful trip, but an assurance of arrival. God’s promises are unwavering, but if we lose sight of Jesus in the process of our doing, our faith weakens.
It was imperative that I return to a daily quiet time with God and have fellowship, seeking His guidance and direction, bringing my needs before Him, so that I can bear good spiritual fruit as His disciple. Just like Jesus was always by the side of His disciples, He is always by our side too! Therefore, we need not to fear. Jesus stood by me through every challenge, erasing any need for fear. My perspective had to shift, embracing the promises while understanding God’s character.
As I studied God’s might and His power to perform miracles, this encouraged me to believe in a miracle in my own life and in my daughter’s life. This would require a mindset change. God can handle any situation and can heal any ailment. And He did! Complete restoration unfolded unexpectedly one Sunday afternoon during our church service. Out of the blue, we witnessed a miracle, catapulting our faith to new heights. Our hope, faith, and trust in God reached new dimensions, demonstrating His ability to transform chaos into serenity in our lives.
Are you ready to embrace God’s character and invite peace into your life?
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for your faithfulness and your healing power. You heal all our diseases and meet every need. You are a God of love, restoration, and reconciliation. We are grateful. We praise You for turning chaos into calamity and increasing our faith in You. Each trial has strengthened us where we are weak. We express gratitude for moulding us into your likeness. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Song for Reflection: “Praise You in This Storm” by Casting Crowns. Listen to it here.
~*~
Author Bio:
Lavonda McCullough is a Christian Life Coach, author, speaker and pastor who specializes in women empowerment with Christian-based approach.
Since 2012, Lavonda has coached countless women into compete freedom, teaching them to enhance their spiritual practice. Through one-on-one Coaching, Bible Study, Prayer Walks and retreats (Joyful Journey RefresHER retreat) she teaches women how to reach the divine power within and discover their purpose.
With the foundation of her personal practice the discipline of a Daily Quiet Time, she works closely with those she coaches to develop their own intimate relationship with God. Always using a spirit-led approach, she focusing on the whole person: mind, body, and soul. Lavonda values providing a safe, loving and nurturing environment that allows those she works with to tap into the divine and commune with God themselves.
Lavonda has a deep understanding of healing through intimate relationship with God due to her personal experiences with shame, trauma, loss, and depression.
She is passionate about helping people find freedom and joy in their journey through the cultivation of spiritual practice.
Originally from North Carolina, Lavonda has traveled throughout Europe and Africa speaking about healing through the power of prayer. She has lived in Germany since 2012, where shares her life with her husband of 33 years.
Lavonda and her husband have three children.
~*~
Connect with LaVonda:
Website: https://www.lavondamccullough.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavondamccullough/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lavondamcculloughauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.de/joyfuljourneymi/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavonda-mccullough
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.