The Perfect Mindset When in a Storm

Have you noticed the weather alarmism these days?

We actually poked fun at it not long ago (“dangerous levels of mild and partly cloudy!!!!”).

We don’t know about where you are, but here in Maryland the weather channel worrywarts have an almost daily reason for a “severe weather advisory.”

Whatever else you might think of your soul-sucking-device’s weather predictions, here is one weather forecast we can all take to the bank – we will all encounter storms in our life of the spiritual variety.

You might be experiencing one now.  Perhaps just a minor squall.  Perhaps a Nor’easter with gale-force winds. 

If that’s the case, this Sunday’s Gospel reading is for you (copied in the postscript).  We have the famous encounter of Jesus walking on the water, and Peter endeavoring to do the same.

In this week’s video (coming out tomorrow) we look at how this is a foundational scripture passage for our life.

Specifically, we look at (1) why God permits storms in our life, (2) the perfect mind set when we’re in a storm, and (3) how we get that mindset to move from just being words in our head to a source of peace and fortitude in our heart.

Today we close with a small side comment – it’s not just the big storms that can sink us.  Sometimes just a little wind will do.  That is an observation of St. John Chrysostom on this passage, noting that it isn’t the surging waves that distract Peter, but merely the wind - “And when Peter had prevailed over the greater (the boisterous sea), he was on the point of suffering evil from the less, from the violence of the wind. For such a thing is human nature; not seldom effected by great things, it exposes itself in the less.”

Isn’t it true that it is often the little things, particularly when they add up over time, that often sink us.

That said, there are legitimately big storms we face, and in our follow-up messages, those will be our focus.

Blessings on your journey with Christ –

Steve and Karen Smith

Interior Life

Postscript:  Matthew 14:22-33

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.  After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.  When it was evening he was there alone.

Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.  During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea.

When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.  "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear.  At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."  Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."  He said, "Come."

Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."