In our world today, we are constantly faced with news of discord, conflict, and unrest. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and uncertain about the future. However, as believers in Christ, we have the assurance that God is with us, even in the midst of life’s storms.

The Bible is filled with accounts of individuals facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. In Mark 4:35-41, we read about Jesus and His disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee when a fierce storm arose. The disciples, filled with fear, woke Jesus, who was sleeping in the boat. With a simple command, Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, revealing His power over the elements and His ability to bring peace in the midst of chaos.

Just as Jesus brought peace to the disciples in the midst of the storm, He can bring peace to our hearts and minds in the midst of the discord and turmoil we face today. When we fix our eyes on Him and trust in His unfailing love and mercy, we can experience a supernatural calm that transcends our circumstances.

However, it is not enough to simply seek peace; we must also heed God’s promises and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead. In Luke 6:47-48, Jesus teaches, “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.” (NASB)

By building our lives on the solid foundation of God’s Word and putting our faith into action, we can withstand the storms of life. We must prioritize our relationship with God, spending time in prayer, studying the Scriptures, and surrendering our lives to His will. As we do so, we will find the strength and resilience needed to face any challenge that comes our way.

The Apostle Paul, no stranger to hardship and adversity, reminds us in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NASB)

As we navigate the storms of life, let us cling to the promises of God, seek His peace through prayer and thanksgiving, and prepare our hearts and minds by building our lives on the firm foundation of His Word. May we find comfort in knowing that no matter what challenges we face, God is with us, and He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Joseph ReportThe turmoils are going to increase. The battles are going to rage and become more difficult. Anger and bitterness will continue to ramp-up and divide people. There will be struggles, global health fears, and famine coming to the land – and America will soon see far greater discord and terror. The reality is, we must heed the call to prepare and lean on God for our strength. As the world around us grows darker, we must shine brighter, holding fast to our faith and trusting in the One who is able to keep us through every trial and tribulation. Let us not grow weary in doing good, but let us persevere, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (Galatians 6:9).

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, recognizing the discord and unrest that surrounds us. We pray for Your peace to fill our hearts and minds, even in the midst of the storms we face. Help us to trust in Your unfailing love and mercy, and to build our lives on the solid foundation of Your Word. Give us the strength and wisdom to face the challenges that lie ahead, knowing that You are with us every step of the way. As the world grows darker, help us to shine brighter, holding fast to our faith and trusting in You, our unshakable anchor. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. We thank You for Your faithfulness and the assurance that You will never leave us nor forsake us. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.