We all go through or will go through, at some point, difficult situations in our lives, after all Jesus himself said: John 16:33 ... In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Therefore, if Jesus Himself said that we would have afflictions in this world, then we must learn to deal with them, so that ALL OF THEM BECOME VICTORIES AND DO NOT HAVE THE CONTRARY EFFECT AND ENHANCE OUR FAITH, because through these victories the NAME OF GOD BE GLORIFIED.
First of all, I would like to remind you that your victory will always depend on Jesus:
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches: He that stays in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.
Second, I would like you to read the text below:
Matthew 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, so that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he said to them, Why are you fearful, you of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
In the above passage, Jesus taught us very important things and I would like to highlight some of them:
1st - Even though Jesus is part of your life (while He is on the boat), sometimes the difficulties and struggles (storms) will come over you.
Matthew 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
2nd - Sometimes you may feel that Jesus is not aware of your struggle or difficulty, but quite the opposite, Jesus will always be attentive to your struggle and often observing what your attitudes will be towards it.
Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, so that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
3rd - Sometimes your reaction will be to seek the help of Jesus, in despair, sometimes saying that you can no longer endure the suffering of the struggle or saying: "Lord help me, otherwise I will perish", as the disciples did in boat.
Matthew 8:25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
4th - But the right attitude, when fighting, is not to despair, but to believe that Jesus is on the boat, therefore, nothing bad can happen to you, because God always has the best for you.
Jesus severely rebuked those men, calling them MEN OF SMALL FAITH, because they did not believe that He would not let them perish, simply, because He was on the boat, so HOW HE IS IN YOUR LIFE.
Matthew 8:26 And he said to them, Why are you fearful, you of little faith?
5th - Believe me, Jesus rebukes his enemy whenever necessary, turning his struggles into victories, because Jesus is the one who has authority over his life and not Satan.
Matthew 8:26 ... Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
6th - Marvel, then, at Jesus, for it is He who can do everything, it is He who has all power in heaven and on earth, to order his blessing.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.
Matthew 8:27 But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Therefore, do not be called by Jesus a man of little faith, do not seek God's help out of despair, but seek God's help for believing that NOTHING THAT IS NOT IN THE HEART OF GOD CAN HAPPEN YOU, after all, HE IS THE AUTHORITY ABOUT YOUR LIFE.
Exercise your faith not only in words, but in attitudes, so that God will honor you with his blessings and victories.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
Pastor Val Martins
