Listen

Meanwhile, the boat, fighting a strong headwind, was being battered by the waves and was already far away from land. Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” They were so frightened they screamed.

Just then Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

Matthew 14:24-27

Think

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a “stormy” season in life? Not all storms involve rain, wind, or waves. Some storms happen inside us: anxiety, loneliness, grief, pressure, uncertainty, or the feeling that no one really understands what we are carrying.

One of my favorite songs from a musical is “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen. The chorus says, “Even when the dark comes crashing through, when you need a friend to carry you, when you’re broken on the ground, you will be found. So let the sun come streaming in, ’cause you’ll reach up and you’ll rise again, lift your head and look around, you will be found.” The song speaks to feeling like no one sees you or understands what you are going through. But slowly, the message changes: even in those moments, you are not alone. Someone is reaching out. Light is still breaking through.

That’s part of what Jesus reminds the disciples in the storm. Fear and loneliness may feel overwhelming, but God’s presence is often closer than we realize. Renewal begins when we remember that we do not face life’s storms alone. God has found us and always will.

Kristen Koger

Question to Ponder:

Who in your life helps you make it through the storms?

Pray

God, when life feels heavy or overwhelming, remind me that I am not alone. Renew my courage when fear and anxiety begin to take over. A storm I’m facing right now is…

Help me trust that your presence is with me, even in the middle of the storm. Amen.

Go

Go into this day renewed in mind, heart, and spirit.

May you notice God’s presence in quiet moments, trust God through life’s storms, and journey with courage, compassion, and peace.

And may you remember that wherever you go, you are never alone.