Christian Living

I Had My Eyes on the Storm

by Michael Edwards 
04/11/19
Free to Share

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

I have written several studies about walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh. In the flesh, there is a lot of strife, struggle, pain and suffering. This is where the works of the flesh like anger, bitterness, jealousy, worry, doubt fear and selfishness can show up. If we are displaying any of the works of the flesh, we know for certain we are walking in the flesh. Therefore, I strive to keep my mind and thoughts captivated to Jesus and His finished work and the higher, loftier and eternal rather than the temporal. I have learned that this focus is how we walk in the Spirit, being content in all circumstances as Paul stated he had learned over time, learning to be content if he was abased or abounding. But we must always be prepared. The enemy never gives up, he is always roaming around looking for a way into our lives and will do all he can to resurrect our crucified and dead flesh and draw us into the struggle. His goal is always to kill, steal and destroy.

In the past year and a half, I have suffered much great loss and change in my life in this world. For the most part, I have had peace through the storm, eyes on Jesus and the eternal. But these last few weeks, with more big changes, my eyes turned to the storm and I sank into my circumstances. Things in this world have been crumbling from a worldly perspective for quite a while now and this seems to be continuing even today. For a few days, I could not seem to escape and everything that looked okay days before now appeared hopeless to the point of wanting to give up.  I was trapped for a few days, tumbled around by my thoughts, wishing things were different, looking back and thinking of what could have been.

During this time, the vision became so clear; my thoughts had sunk me deep into my circumstances, into the water and waves like Peter when he took his eyes and focus off Jesus. I could literally see myself being tossed around and beat up by my circumstances as I sank further, weighted down by my thoughts. The further I sank, the more I could see the signs, works of the flesh, fear, worry, selfishness, double-mindedness, strife, impatience, anger, despair, depression and others, began to surface. Like a desperate man overcome by the fear of drowning, I began to struggle and try to save myself by taking things into my own hands.  My flesh wanted to take full control and do things the way of the old creation, man’s way.

But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matt 14:30-31 NASB

This is a painful place, but I did sense that even in my moments of despair, my Father was there letting me know it was okay. I know what to do in times like this, change my focus and look to my Savior, see things through His eyes.

The time of this vision was brief and very clear. I could see that my only hope to keep from drowning was to place my focus back on Jesus. Jesus was right there at that moment encouraging me in my faith in His promises, telling me not to fear or worry. He was reaching out and just waiting for me to look His way and believe. He wanted me to take my eyes off the temporal of this world, to totally let go of what I thought I needed and keep my eyes on and hope in God’s eternal promises.  He wants me to keep the faith in His promises, my focus on the finished work of Christ and the new creation I am in Him, seeking His peace where the power of God resides, even in the middle of the storm.

I need to always remind myself what Jesus has told us is finished and what God has promised for our future is a done deal in His eyes. God’s word never returns void and all that He has promised in Christ is our future. God’s promise in John 3:16 and other verses are ironclad promises and guaranteed. God himself has qualified us to participate in the inheritance of the saints. No attack or weapon formed against us shall prevail because our righteousness is from the Lord.  He will never leave us or forsake us. Our future is complete and guaranteed in Christ. He is faithful, even when we are unfaithful.

Father, help me to let go completely of things of this world, of what I see with my eyes. Help me to completely shake off the burdens of this world with their worries and fears. Help me to see my future in Christ as the only true reality. I give you my doubts, worries and fears. I believe, help my unbelief in the areas where I still struggle. Help me only to seek and walk in your peace above the storm no matter what the circumstances. Encourage my faith in your promises so I will always build up and encourage my brothers and sisters in their faith in your promises.  So, I will always reach out and be willing to show the lost the way home. Amen

New Covenant Bible Studies that Apply:

How to Take Thoughts Captive to The Obedience of Christ

How to Defeat Satan on the Battlefield for Your Mind

Victory is Yours for the Believing

How to be Transformed Into His Image

How to Stop Being a Double Minded Christian

Live Like the Work in Done and See Fruit Christian

How Christians Dilute the Power of the Gospel in Their Lives

Stop the Adam Struggle by Walking in the Spirit

How to Walk in the Spirit Instead of the Flesh

Look Through the Eyes of God and Walk in the Spirit

Many more New Covenant Bible Studies HERE. 

Jesus poured out His blood for the New Covenant of grace and truth, replacing the Old Covenant law of Moses. Believers are exclusively under the New Covenant, the last will and testament of Jesus that began after the cross. 

And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. Luke 22:20