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Friends, greetings in Jesus Name! Last week we looked at a topic titled, “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”. As a follow up to that topic, we shall be looking today on what I title, “Peace in The Midst of Storm.” On the 5th of February 2010, my family and I boarded a connecting flight from JFK in New York to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. We were heading back home to Lagos. It was an 8-hour journey that I will never forget. Unfortunately, that year was one of the worst years of snow in the United States, and some parts of Europe. Shortly after we left, about two-thirds of the airports in the United States were shut down due to heavy snow. Really, we were lucky to have left, but how lucky could we have been. Few hours airborne the storm began. My three-year-old daughter was so dazed looking at me. She could not comprehend what was going on. I could see terror written all over her face, and the kind of thoughts raging through her mind. Our last baby who was barely a month old was strapped to my wife. The aircraft was swinging up and down as it flew across the Atlantic Ocean. Everyone on the plane held their teeth up tight, not knowing what next to expect. I looked at the flight map, the plane was cruising at 1080km/h, swinging up and down. At this point I held my wife’s hand, and we prayed a simple prayer: “Lord, into your hands we commit our lives. Take absolute control now in Jesus Name.” Shortly after this prayer, like a miracle, the storm subsided, and there was a great calm till we landed in Amsterdam, with a clapping ovation for the pilot and his crew members.

Really, when we landed by 6am in the morning, the entire airport was covered with snow in Amsterdam. I just asked myself: How was this pilot able to navigate through this storm? Then I realized it could only have been God. The Psalmist said, “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive” (Psalm 124:2-3). Ladies and gentlemen, let me say categorically that God didn’t promise us a smooth sail or a life without challenges. One thing He promised us is peace in the midst of storm. Jesus declared in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus is telling us in this scripture that we will have peace in Him. Where? Irrespective of whatever circumstance we might find ourselves. Yes, He is there with us. No wonder Jesus slept on a pillow while in the midst of a raging storm.

The scripture declares in the book of Mark 4:35-40, “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to His disciples: 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 Jesus 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?” There are few lessons we can learn from this story. First, why was Jesus at peace? It’s because He knew His father was with Him. He knew he will never leave him nor forsake him (Joshua 1:5); and that His Father will always answer Him whenever He calls (Isaiah 65:24). Secondly, Jesus understood the authority He has as a son of God (John 5:19-21). As a result, He was able to address the situation, by opening His mouth to rebuke the wind. Lastly, He knew that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). And so, He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith.

Listen, when you’re going through the storm of life, what you need is Faith in God (Mark 11:22-24). To overcome the challenges of life you’re going through right now, you must learn to put your absolute trust and hope in God. When you’re in a hopeless situation, fear produces nothing but drags you deeper into the mess. The Almighty God knows this so well, and for that reason, He admonished us to Fear Not. The bible declares in Isaiah 43;1-2, “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” Hallelujah! Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). Meaning, if Jesus can sleep on a pillow while the storm was raging, then you can do likewise; If He rebuked the wind, you too have the same authority and power to do so (Luke 10:19). Remember, the problems of life are not meant to make us bitter but better. Adversity has advantage. Challenges of life are permitted by God to bring out the best in you. Meaning, what the enemy has meant for evil, God will turn it around for your Good (Romans 8:28). Therefore, face every challenge with courage, and you shall overcome in Jesus Mighty Name. Have a Blessed and Fantastic Week. With love, Elvis!