For so many, for me, there have been things that have happened in our lives that shook us to the core but ended up helping us see Jesus walking closer to us.

I think about the disciples who were afraid as Jesus walked toward them on the water. They initially thought He was a ghost and cried out in fear! ( Matt 14:26)

But then, they realized it was Him as He said, “Be of good cheer! It is I, do not be afraid.”

God has used those words to comfort me in my fears over the years. He has caused me to ask, “God, are You in this hard thing my human eyes see coming my way? Are you bringing Yourself closer through it? Is that You? “

If we want to find peace instead of fear, we can’t just look at the waves tossing about us, but we have to learn to look for God in the storms He allows to come into our lives.

And so many times, I’ve ended up seeing Him in them.

He’s brought good.
He’s taught truth.
He’s carried me.

And as the years go by, I’m learning to not so quickly react in fear; but to instead pray and ask the Lord to let me see Him at work —maybe even bringing a miracle.

This short prayer has powerfully calmed me and brought real, keep-going, fear-conquering hope.

I’ve seen Romans 8:28 happen.

I’m not batting a thousand, but I’m much better than I used to be at remembering in hard moments that God really does work all things together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

And while His ways are not always my ways, or your ways, He really has brought good from situations that initially looked far from good. Have you seen this too?

Oh friends, let’s encourage each other to ask this. Let’s resist fear and walk toward Jesus in faith—even and especially when the storms come.

readMatthew

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