Part 5 — Trusting God in the Midst of The Storm
When bad things happen, it is easy for me to slip into panic mode. I have often lost sight of God entirely in those moments. The overwhelming problems would be all I could see, and I would panic. Time and time again, I would find myself embarrassed afterward for losing trust in God. These days, I’m less likely to panic, but it’s still hard when unexpected events throw me off course.
The Bible is clear: bad times will come, but we’re called to continue trusting God through them:
- “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.” – Psalms 91:5-6
- “He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established; he will not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies.” – Psalm 112:7-8
- “And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house.” – Ezekiel 2:6
- “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” – Revelation 2:10
- “Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” – Psalm 46:2
It’s comforting to know God understands the struggles we’ll face and has a plan in place. We simply need to trust Him.
Trusting God Enough to Rest
When I’m worried, one of the first things that suffers is my sleep. But there’s a powerful promise in Scripture that reminds us that, even in the midst of trouble, we can have such deep trust in God that we can rest peacefully. Proverbs 3:24-26 says: “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.”
This verse speaks to a kind of trust that allows us to sleep through the storms, knowing God is in control.
Peter’s Peace in Prison
One Bible story that illustrates this deep trust is found in Acts 12. Peter was in prison, awaiting a trial that almost certainly meant his execution. If there was ever a time to be afraid, this would be it, right? But here’s the fascinating part: in Acts 12:7, when the angel comes to release Peter, the angel has to strike him to wake him up—Peter was sleeping so soundly that the angel couldn’t just call his name or gently nudge him. The angel had to strike him!
Think about this—Peter was about to face death, yet he was sleeping like a baby. He had seen others executed and knew the grim reality of his situation, yet he trusted God so deeply he could sleep in the face of certain death.
That’s faith.
WOW! I find this mind-blowing. How about you?
It’s amazing to think about the peace and trust Peter had in such dire circumstances. For me, this is a powerful reminder that, no matter the trials or battles we face, we don’t need to fear. God is in control, and if we trust Him fully, we can rest even in the toughest times.
Part 6 — The Power of Contagious Emotions
Have you ever been around someone who was feeling down or depressed, and after listening to them talk about their troubles and ailments for a while, you started feeling down yourself? It’s amazing how emotions can be contagious. Whether it’s happiness, fear, anger, sadness, or joy, we can easily “catch” the attitudes of those around us.
This is likely part of the reason God instructed Gideon in Judges 7:3 to tell those who were fearful to go home. God knew fear can spread quickly. When we give too much voice to our own fears, it not only affects us but can also influence those around us. Just like spending time with someone who shares their worries and doubts can cause us to feel fearful, being around someone who is full of faith and trust in God can encourage and uplift us.
Soon we will talk about what to do instead of giving voice to your fears. I will also have some practical suggestions for applying all this knowledge to real life.
