How big is your faith? Is it wave-sized or is it God-sized?
Last week, I had a good cry.
I’ve been walking with Jesus through the ups and downs of life since 1988, when He saved my soul.
Fast forward thirty three years later: suddenly COVID. If you’ve gone through this dreaded virus, you know what I’m talking about. Basically, you’re sick.
All this time, I have not left the palm of God’s hand, but I can tell you that last week, I peeked over the side and saw the waves. The big, bad waves.
And burst into tears.
Have you experienced enormously big spiritual waves in your Christian life? Thunderstorms, hurricanes, tsunamis, and suchlike? How did you respond?
“O ye of little faith,” I heard my God whisper in my ear.
“Yes, Lord,” was (and is) my only answer.
Immediately, the Lord brought to mind so many Scripture passages from the Bible that I have studied in the last three decades. They flooded and warmed my heart and reminded me that my faithful God is still with me.
I smiled again, remembering, for example, that:
- God, who began a good work in us, will complete it (Philippians 1:6).
- God never leaves us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5).
- Jesus Christ is still the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
- God works out all things for a Christian’s good (Romans 8:28).
- Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:31-39).
- Turning my eyes upon Jesus, I can walk on water (Matthew 14:22-33).
- And many, many more Bible verses, too numerous to list here, but you know what I mean.
Wiping tears from my eyes, I went back to the Bible and read this passage. Once more, God reminded me that He is with me. Always.
“And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God” (Matthew 14:22-33, KJV, emphasis mine).
In Jesus Christ, “the wind ceased.”
There you have it: Jesus is the calm in the storm.
Always.
Update: Praise the Lord that my family is on the other side of COVID now. The doctor has given us the green light to go back to work. I am back to writing my 29th book. God is good all the time, no matter the calm, no matter the storm.
In Christ,
Jan Thompson
USA Today bestselling novelist Jan Thompson writes clean and wholesome multiethnic contemporary Christian romance with elements of women’s fiction, Christian romantic suspense with an air of mystery, and inspirational international thrillers with threads of sweet Christian romance. Join Jan's mailing list for her latest book news: JanThompson.com/newsletter
Yes, I’ve had a hard year so far. My sister died, my mother died, had knee replacement and had Covid. God brought me through every bit of it. He is a loving Father Who won’t let you down. What would I do without my Jesus!! 😊
Thank you for sharing. I cared for my mama for 9 months and she passed in May. We have had a difficult year with other things but God is right here with us every step of the way.
I was Mom’s caregiver for 9 years until she passed Dec 11, 2020. God is carrying me through or I wouldn’t have made it this far! As a friend said, it’s more like I lost a spouse, since I was with her all of the time. She was also my best friend and confidant. God has blessed me beyond measure on this journey of grief by using friends to help me through and supplying my needs. When things have gotten overwhelming, He’s been there through it all.
Good Morning, I am so very sorry you have had to go through this. At one time or another we all go through this. But what I always remember is “I God puts you through this, He will get you out of it” Faith and Hope is what keeps me going. God is Good. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
I’m so sorry about your long year. You’ve gone through so much more than I did. Yes, indeed only God can bring us through these trials and tribulations. Because only He is able. I know, right — I can’t handle it without Jesus either!
Thank you for your comments.
I always try to rember everything is in God’s hands
I honestly don’t know how anyone can go through this life (especially the last year & a half) without Jesus! Life is hard enough, but I know He promises to be with me in every season, through every storm & all the calm seas too. He understands my tears, my fears, my failures, my mistakes and still loves me. Yes, I know there are times my faith is lacking and He probably shakes His head at me. It’s in those times I grow in my faith. The more I rely on Him in bad/sad/mad times, the more He shows me that I have nothing to fear because He has me securely in His hands. We all go through seasons & He’s promised to be with us through it all. Like our pastor used to say, if we’re in trouble, He’s in trouble with us :-)
My grandma passed away March 24 2020 so now I’m a caretaker for my grandpa who is 94.Also my brother had to get a major surgery in May 2020 and only my mom and dad could be with him because of the pandemic and the rest of our family had to stay home and he was in California for 5 weeks and I come from a family of 13 so it was really hard not to see him.
The storm does pass. Trust.
Hi, Jan. Reading your post and the comments brought me to tears, especially Trixi’s comment that we have nothing to fear. I realize she was referring to the trials but we also have nothing to fear from our Heavenly Father. Just before the pandemic, we lost both my wife’s mother and her sister. (Not to COVID). Since the pandemic we have not lost anyone that we know directly to the illness, but have been touched by the deaths of many we know of. For much longer than that we have been dealing with other health problems which have resulted in unemployment and financial concerns.
So, here we are, no regular income, no real prospects and no one to care for us but God. But God. He has sent resource after resource, encouragement after encouragement, reminder after reminder of His provision and love. Right up to this post and these comments.
We may not always *feel* good (like Peter as he sank), but God always *is* good. Ultimately, all the outworkings of sin and the curse will be done and He will rule where there will be no sadness, no pain and nothing but joyful life and unhindered worship. What a day that will be.
Now we see only dimly the glory and grace of God. We turn to Him only with crippled bodies and pain-filled gazes. However, hope is ours already because the One who can calm the sea will calm His entire creation and bring the fulfillment of every longing of our wounded hearts.
Even so, Lord Jesus, come.
Amen! I have been through many storms in the last four years. I understand the fear and confusion. I have found that through it all, the Lord is there. It is okay to question, He is our Lord and Father. Know He loves you. He is always there for you. Rest in His loving arms. God bless you
Yes I have cause my Aunt passed away & then my younger cousin & friends we knew also. It is very hard still to wait for things to go back to normal.
I have through marriage family who have passed & close childhood adults who passed during all this virus. I also find some storms or wind storms are very risky.
Jan,
Thank you for this post!
We need to be reminded sometimes minute by minute to trust, and keep our eyes on Jesus.
I’m so sorry you had to experience covid and all that it brings. Hopefully, you’ll be gaining your strength and energy back soon.
Take care!
I am so sorry about your mom. She will always be with you. I lost my father years ago, but I still have wonderful memories of him. Indeed, God is always with us. May God comfort you at this time. Hugs!
God is indeed our best comforter. I agree that He carries us thus far. Hugs to you and what a blessing you were to your mom for so many years. When my mom had that stroke, I was her caregiver for about a month, and it was exhausting. So I understand how God has to carry me so I can carry my mom. However, I wouldn’t have traded it for anything else. She cared for me when I was a child, and God gave me an opportunity to care for her when she needed me. God is always sovereign. I agree that God supplies all our needs. Hugs to you and thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you. Yes, God is good. And yes every day is a step of faith to take. Thank you for your kind words!
Yes, indeed! God is sovereign!
Yes, for sure. IDK how so many people endured the hardships of 2020-2021 without Christ. It is God who carries me through.
The good news is that we’re on the other side of COVID now and God has healed us. The doctor has given us the all clear to go back to work.
Yes, it has been a trying time. BUT God was indeed with us through the thick and thin. Nothing is impossible for God!
Wow! That was tough. I hope that you’re now able to be with your brother? I have a smaller family than yours (family of 6) but I also miss my mother and brothers due to the pandemic. It’s heartbreaking for families to be split apart. I pray that God will heal the world so that we can all be with our families again.
Yes, being a caregiver is a difficult job. It’s a blessing that you can be with your grandpa in his latter years. God provides for us in so many ways. May He give you strength as you are a blessing to your grandpa. I was a caregiver for my mom in her early days of stroke (post hospital) and it was physically and emotionally exhausting but I was glad and happy and willing to do it because I love my mom, and caring for her is just a small part of showing her my love.
Thank you for your comments!
Indeed! The question I ask myself is: What lesson do I need to learn? I learned so much about God’s lovingkindness toward my family and me as we were all sick together. God gives us the strength to endure. To Him be the glory!
Thank you for your comments. Yes, indeed, Maranatha! ASAP, please. Until then, there is work to be done. These two years have been extremely challenging. Last year, I didn’t know anyone who were very ill from the virus, but this year, I did know many people who caught it, and some have died from complications of it. It seemed that this year was more tragic than last year. This summer alone has been very difficult.
I hear you re: health problems and irregular income. An author has irregular income, like a realtor too. It’s not easy year after year. Add to that health issues and we have a melting pot of troubles — or opportunities to wholly lean on God. If He doesn’t heal us, no one can. If He doesn’t provide, no one can. It’s all about GOD and His miraculous provisions.
Indeed, as soon as I remembered how Peter sank, I “turned my eyes upon Jesus, and looked full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth grew strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
May God heal your health and provide the income you need as you walk on water with Jesus!
Yes, praise the Lord that we can ask Him all questions. Even Job and Paul asked questions, and we’re nowhere near their “veteran” status. I am thankful that God always answers prayers, whether it’s yes or no or wait or you’re not ready for the answer etc. God is always good. And yes, He did deliver us out of COVID and we are all back at work. Thank you for your encouraging words!
I am sorry for your losses. May God comfort your family. This year, I know so many people who caught the virus, way more than last year. Family, friends, acquaintances, and so forth.
Yes, indeed. Who knows when things will become normal again worldwide. I am so thankful that no matter what, God is still sovereign.
Thank you for your comments! Have a wonderful week in the Lord!
Yes, indeed re: storms. So sorry for your losses. May God comfort you. In one of my previous churches, there was a massive outbreak that put so many people in the hospital this year, and many more were sick at home. Some passed away, sadly. People we knew who would’ve lived to ripe old ages if it weren’t for the virus. But then again, God is sovereign and He allows what He allows. It’s a very sad and difficult time indeed, but I turn my eyes to Jesus and focus on Him and His goodness. Still, it’s a very tough time for everyone. Please stay safe and don’t catch the virus!
Thank you for your encouraging word! Yes, I agree we do have to remind ourselves to focus on Jesus. Moment by moment, we need Him every hour, minute, seconds.
Yes, our family is on the other side of the virus now, having been given the all-clear from the doctor to go back to work. We are still needing more rest, but for the most part, things have returned to normal — as normal can be in these abnormal times. I’ll be wearing my masks for a long time to come! I don’t want to catch anything else LOL. Better be safe than sorry.
Thank you for your comments. Have a wonderful week in the Lord!
Oh, yes! My biggest and greatest blessing is that I could be home with Mom for those 9 years!! I always told Mom that I would be so thankful for that time with her, and I am! I have no regrets being there for her. I always looked at it has honoring her for all she and my Daddy did for me through the years. I told her from way back when I was in junior high that I’d be the one to take care of her later on. A friend (who was caregiver for her parents, too) told me that on days when it was difficult being a caregiver, she would remind herself that she was showing her daughters and grandchildren how she wanted them to treat her later on.
I think COVID touched us all in some way but our GOD is bigger and stronger ❤️❤️❤️