NIV 365 / Battling Adversity

The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading Plan

Day 207 of 365 Battling Adversity At least four of Jesus' disciples - Peter, Andrew, James and John - made their living as fishermen. Certainly they knew of Galilee's infamous storms. Yet on one occasion, they panicked when a storm arose. Jesus woke from his nap, rebuked them for lacking faith and then calmed the storm. For us, storms can rise quickly as well: a dark spot shows up on an X-ray; a pink slip lands on our desk at work; a kid gets in with the wrong crowd at school; a parent dies; the stock market tanks. When these "winds" rise, remember Jesus. Trust him first - no matter how overwhelming the storm appears. REFLECT & PRAY: *What storms in life do you find most difficult to face? *Why do most of us struggle with trusting God first? *When you've trusted God during difficult times, what has resulted? How can those experiences help you place your trust in him during the next trial you face? Taken from NIV Busy Dad's Bible Matthew 8:23-27 Matthew 8:23-27 KJV 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch 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 saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!