“I’ve had enough of all this!” Meg screamed in frustration to her friend.
“I don’t know what else to do. I have been patient through all the temptations and persecution, but they still won’t leave me alone,” she said, feeling gloomy.
“They all question my decisions. They don’t understand why I have taken these steps—even my parents have asked me to come out of it. I have tried to explain to them countless times that I am only following the Lord’s instruction, but they never understand,” she cried out.
“It’s okay, Meg,” Lizzy tried to console her. “Everything will be fine,” she said gently.
“I feel like giving up and giving in to them. Even the path the Lord has asked me to take doesn’t seem easy. I have faced storms, earthquakes, and all sorts of challenges. Every road I take brings new obstacles, yet He still asks me to follow it. I clearly heard His instruction—why?” she asked in frustration.
“Why is it that even when you clearly hear the Lord’s instruction for your life, and He asks you to make certain decisions, it doesn’t come easy? You find yourself facing so much accusation, disapproval, and discouragement along the way?” Meg asked.
Lizzy looked at her friend with a loving expression, feeling her pain and frustration. “Alright, dear,” she said. “Sit down; let me share something with you.” She opened her Bible.
“Remember the story in the Book of Mark, chapter 4, starting from verse 35? Jesus instructed His disciples to go to the other side of the river, and He chose one of the boats for the journey. After they set off, a great storm arose, frightening everyone on board, while Jesus was sleeping peacefully in the back, undisturbed by the waves or the cries of His disciples. When He was finally awakened, He commanded the waves to be quiet and the sea to be still.”
“Yes, I know the story,” Meg replied, curious about where Lizzy was going with it.
“What I am saying is this,” Lizzy continued. “Even though He took them out onto the sea, they still had to face a stormy journey. Sometimes when the Lord tells us to do something, it doesn’t mean that everything will be smooth. We still have to confront challenges along the way, face discouragement, and often encounter disapproval and accusations—even from those we love and respect. This does not mean that the Lord is not with us on that journey. Even when it seems as if He is sleeping, He is there. He knows our pain, our trials, and our confrontations. He knows everything. But the good news is that He will pull us through. He will never leave or forsake you. He didn’t take you out to the sea to let you drown, no! Everything He does is for your own good.”
She paused for a moment, watching the expression on her friend’s face as she pondered these words.
“Sweetheart, He didn’t take you on this journey just to leave you to walk alone. He walks with you all the way,” Lizzy said. “Now, listen carefully. What I want you to do now is stand up and command every wave and the sea to be still.” She spoke in a commanding voice. “Speak the peace of God into your life so that in spite of every accusation and challenge, you can still hold onto your peace.” She said this as she saw joy light up her friend’s face.
The presence of troubles all around does not mean that God is absent or unconcerned about our challenges. He will not leave you or forsake you. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
My friends, are you struggling with your decision to follow the Lord’s instructions? The presence of troubles all around does not mean that God is absent or unconcerned about our challenges. He will not leave you or forsake you. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even if the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea; even if its waters roar and foam, and the mountains quake with their surging. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations He has brought upon the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow, shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire. Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Rejoice and be glad, for He is here with you. He is holding your hand every step of the way, and His joy, peace, and victory are certain in your life. Take a moment now to invite His peace into your life. Peace, be still!
Stay blessed.
