Beauty Through Adversity

Mark 4:35-41

 

"On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!""  Mark 4:35–41  

Sometimes it is difficult to walk with faith, trusting God. 

This amazing event can mirror a particularly challenging day we may experience. We all have these types of days. The day starts out well, but rapidly declines until we reach a point that our faith is overthrown by our fears. Exasperated, we cry out to the Lord wondering whether or not He really cares for us! 

In times like these, we struggle to see the end from the beginning, so we trust, in spite of our limited sight (cf. 2 Cor. 5:7). 

In times like these, we do not always understand how God is working in our lives, but we trust, confident in His love for us and of our love for Him (cf. Rom. 8:28). 

A familiar song, "In His Time," brings to mind that, "God makes all things beautiful in His time." Through the trials of such storms we learn to, "trust in the Lord with all [our] heart, and lean not on [our] own understanding" Prov. 3:5). On days like these, we appreciate His reassuring call, "In all [our] ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct [our] paths" Prov. 3:6). 

Thank God for the beautiful days. Thank God for the challenging days. Thank God for the unseen beauties of every day! Thank God!